Voting Begins in Contest Naming Coolest Thing Made in Illinois

Nearly 250 unique products vying to advance to Top 16.

The initial round of voting is open in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s (IMA) fourth annual “Makers Madness” contest, a bracket-style tournament in which the public decides what product earns the 2023 title of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.

Presented by Comcast Business, the competition celebrates the incredible work of manufacturers across Illinois, which have long served as the backbone of our state’s economy. A recent study found the total economic impact of manufacturing in Illinois is estimated to be between $580 billion and $611 billion every year – the largest share of any industry to the state’s Gross Domestic Product.

Nearly 250 unique products from every corner of the state were nominated for this year’s contest, with nominees ranging from agriculture equipment and COVID testing supplies to iconic pantry staples, sweet treats, and a variety of vehicles. Voting throughout the contest will take place at www.makersmadnessil.com, where voters can choose the products that will advance to the Top 16. Voting for this round is open and runs through 11:59 p.m. on March 5. Participants may vote up to five times per day. Consecutive rounds of voting, in head-to-head matchups, will take place each week, culminating with an awards ceremony on March 29, when The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois will be named.

“The diverse range of products nominated in this year’s Makers Madness contest demonstrates the innovation and ingenuity driving our state and nation forward,” said Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “Manufacturers are proud to serve as an anchor for their communities, and we hope this contest provides a glimpse of the hard work taking place on factory floors across Illinois. We look forward to seeing which products will move on to the next round as we celebrate our industry’s many achievements.”

Illinois manufacturers produce everything from life-saving vaccines and medical treatments to boundary-breaking electric vehicles, plus components used for space exploration. Our manufacturers keep store shelves stocked with nutritious food and delectable snacks, as well as create sporting equipment used everywhere from neighborhood fields to professional leagues. They make core structural products from steel, rebar, and motors to chemicals and flavorings, and even create high-tech gadgets used for national defense and energy to power our homes and businesses.

“I’m really excited about all the nominations. They show not only the depth and breadth of what’s made in our state, but that Illinois is truly a national manufacturing trendsetter,” said Sean McCarthy, Comcast’s Regional Vice President of Business Development and Strategic Initiatives. “May the coolest things move on to the Top 16!”

Previous contest winners include Rivian’s all-electric R1T truck made in Normal, the first all-electric truck in production, featuring four motors, with one powering each wheel; the Self-Regulating Traffic Signal Heater by Termico Technologies in Elk Grove Village, which uses conductive particles to heat traffic signals so they remain free of ice and snow, and traffic can safely navigate our roadways; and the 797F Mining Truck manufactured by Caterpillar, Inc., in Decatur, the world’s largest mechanical truck

Timeline of events includes: February 21 – March 5, Voting on nominations to determine Top 16; March 7 – March 12, First round of voting to determine Top 8; March 14 – March 19, Second round of voting to determine Top 4; March 21 – March 26, Final round of voting; March 29, Winner of The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois announced.