by WICSWed, February 12th 2025 at 12:38 PM
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) has kicked off its sixth annual “Makers Madness” contest, inviting the public to vote for the coolest product made in Illinois.
The bracket-style tournament, presented by Comcast Business, highlights the significant contributions of manufacturers to the state’s economy.
Manufacturing is a key driver of Illinois’ economy, contributing over $580 billion annually and supporting nearly a third of all jobs in the state. The contest celebrates the diverse range of products made in Illinois, from life-saving medicines and electric vehicles to agricultural equipment and high-tech gadgets.
Nominations for the contest are now open here and will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on March 2. Voting to determine the Top 16 products will begin on March 4, with weekly rounds leading up to the final awards ceremony on April 9 at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield.
The competition is open to any product manufactured in Illinois, regardless of where the manufacturer’s headquarters are located. The winner will be crowned “The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois 2025.”
Timeline of events:
February 12 – March 2: Nominations open and accepted here.
March 4 – March 16: Nomination voting
March 18: Top 16 Announced
March 18 – March 23: First round of voting
March 25: Top 8 Announced
March 25 – March 30: Second round of voting
April 1: Top 4 Announced
April 1 – April 6: Final round of voting
April 9: Winner of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois announced during awards luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield