Progress Illinois

A new House bill would make job creation an important element in contract bids for the federal government.

The legislation, called the American Jobs Matter Act, HR 1332, would require companies to include a “jobs impact statement” in their proposal for contract bids. The statement tells the government the number of jobs that will be created by the company and its subcontractors.

The legislation also requires companies to guarantee that jobs will not be moved outside of the U.S. once the contract has been awarded.

“America, specifically our region of America, has the best workers in the world,” said U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D, IL-17), sponsor of the legislation, on a conference call. “We should take advantage of their skills and craftsmanship.”

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Fellow candidates in the race to fill the vacant seat in Illinois’ 2nd Congressional District had strong words for Democratic nominee Robin Kelly today, as the polls opened at 6 a.m. and voters are poised to cast their ballots throughout the day.

Republican candidate Paul McKinley called Kelly “insignificant.” Green Party candidate, LeAlan Jones, said she was a “puppet.” Independent candidate, Elizabeth Pahlke, questioned Kelly’s New York roots and suggested the people need a Chicago-native. Marcus Lewis, another Independent candidate, said voting in favor of Kelly was “essentially giving away your vote to an outside billionaire.”

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