October is Manufacturing Month

October is Manufacturing Month, a time to celebrate the contributions of manufacturers and inspire interest in careers in the industry. "MFG Day" takes place the first Friday of October each year, giving students, educators, and parents a chance to see manufacturing up close as IMEC and the Manufacturing Institute sponsor events statewide.

Illinois manufacturers make an estimated $580 billion to $611 billion in annual economic impact and support approximately 1.7 million jobs, including direct, indirect and induced employment, according to the Illinois Manufacturers Association (IMA). Manufacturing remains the largest contributor of any industry to the state's GDP. Over the past year, the U.S. has averaged about 500,000 open manufacturing positions, and by 2033, more than 1.9 million jobs could go unfilled, according to the Manufacturing Institute and Deloitte.

Hosting or attending an event? Visit the Manufacturing Day 2026 webpage to find an event near you.

Understanding Cook County Property Taxes and TIF

With the 2025 Second Installment Cook County Property Tax Bills now arriving, many Schaumburg businesses in the 390 West Gateway Park may notice the "Village of Schaumburg-Centex" TIF listed among the taxing districts on their bill. Because it appears beside school districts, park districts, libraries, and other public bodies, it can understandably look like a new taxing authority or an additional charge. However, the TIF line does not represent a separate tax rate added to a property owner’s bill. 

When a TIF district is established, its EAV is frozen as the base value. Taxes generated from that base continue to flow to the school districts, park district, library, municipality, county, and other overlapping taxing bodies. If the EAV later rises above the base because of redevelopment, new construction, appreciation, or other changes, the additional value is called the increment. The property is still subject to the same underlying tax rates, but the revenue attributable to the increment is allocated to the TIF fund for eligible redevelopment purposes within the district. Cook County’s bill displays the TIF as a “taxing district” because the bill is designed to show where the total tax obligation is allocated, not because the TIF independently levies an extra tax.

The Village Board established the Centex TIF District in May 2024 to support reinvestment in the 390 West Gateway Park, including eligible redevelopment and infrastructure improvements; the district is scheduled to expire in 2047. In short, the Centex TIF line is a transparency item showing that a portion of the taxes generated by growth in value above the TIF’s base is being directed to the redevelopment fund. More information on how Cook County calculates Property Tax Bills can be found here.

Harper College Apprenticeship Program

Looking to build a pipeline of skilled talent or launch your own career? Harper College’s Apprenticeship Program connects students with local employers for paid, hands-on training in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, IT, banking, and supply chain management. Apprentices split their time between on-the-job experience and college coursework—graduating debt-free, with industry credentials and a job offer in hand. Employers benefit from a reliable talent pipeline and reduced hiring costs.

To learn more about becoming an apprentice or partnering as an employer, please visit Harper College's website.

Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership Job Board

The Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) offers a free job board that connects hiring managers with incoming manufacturing workers in the Chicagoland area. Whether they're looking for internships or apprenticeships, part-time or full-time opportunities, GCAMP's employment platform allows job applicants to filter and search for positions to launch their manufacturing careers. Hiring managers can leverage the platform to post entry-level positions and connect with a better pool of applicants. To view the job board or to submit a position, visit the GCAMP Job Board online.

Manage People Effectively: TWI Job Relations for Leaders

The Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) is hosting a free webinar titled Manage People Effectively: TWI Job Relations for Leaders from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

IMEC's Technical Specialist Ed Huey will review how Job Relations can help you create stronger relationships with employees and a more productive work environment. The webinar will also cover:

• The four foundational leadership behaviors that build trust and accountability
• How to recognize and maximize each employee’s individual strengths
• Practical ways to give feedback, share credit, and communicate change effectively
• A step-by-step process for handling employee problems with fairness and consistency

Registration is free. After registering, participants will receive a confirmation email with the Zoom link. For more information on the webinar and to register, please visit their website.

The Industrial Insider is a newsletter distributed to industrial businesses in Schaumburg to keep them informed of the latest activities and developments in the area. If you would like to add someone to The Industrial Insider or have any questions about the information provided in this e-newsletter, contact the Economic Development Department at (847) 923-3707.