The new head of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association is Janice Christiansen, president of J.C. Schultz, The Flag Source in Batavia. She is the first woman to be elected chairman of the 116-year-old organization. From IMA:

“The election of Janice Christiansen to the chairmanship reflects the growing number of women who have ascended to head manufacturing companies across the U.S., ” said Greg Baise, IMA president and CEO. “Janice is a testament to the tenacious battles women have fought to not only smash the glass ceiling that had prevented them from entering the top echelons of business, but to lead companies of all sizes and in all sectors with distinction.”

Christiansen is the only woman president of a full line flag and banner manufacturing company in the U.S. Born in Springfield, Illinois, she grew up in Chicago. She graduated from Michigan State University and attended DePaul Law School while working in the notes receivable department of Walter E. Heller Commercial Finance. After joining J.C. Schultz, The Flag Source in 1975, she worked in various leadership capacities following the untimely death of her husband in 1985 becoming company President in 1990, a title she has held for two decades. J.C. Schultz, The Flag Source employs 70 workers….

“Manufacturers in Illinois are facing truly challenging times,” says Christiansen. “From an economy that threatens the very existence of many manufacturers to a state legislature that continues to spend money it doesn’t have and a federal government bent on treating American businesses as an endless source of money. It’s clear our work is cut out for us.

She succeeds Ron Bullock of Bison Gear and Engineering in St. Charles. Thanks, Ron, and congratulations, Janice.

Pat Kiely, president of the Indiana Manufacturers Association, makes the case in The Indianapolis Star that manufacturing helps define what it means to be a Hoosier, and that definition is put at risk by ill-considered, far-reaching climate legislation.

From “Vulnerable to high cost of restrictions“:

Developing countries such as China and India are unwilling to curb emissions of greenhouse gases. If increased energy costs drive manufacturing from Indiana to developing nations that do not restrict greenhouse gas emissions, then there is no reduction in emissions and we have done nothing to achieve the purported goal of fighting climate change. While it does appear noble that the United States would demonstrate leadership to the world in regulating itself, the downside has lasting economic hardship to the nation’s economy and to states like Indiana.

The Indiana Manufacturers Association’s membership understands the importance of environmental stewardship. That said, the method of control is critical. States have different needs based on their overall production of greenhouse gasses — be it from production of energy, agriculture, manufactured goods or transportation-related factors. It seems the federal government should work first to resolve our domestic imbalances before offering to give foreign competitors billions of dollars that we don’t have to take American jobs.

Pat also notes the NAM and ACCF’s study on the economic effects of the Waxman-Markey bill, which shows for Indiana the potential:

• Loss of up to 59,260 jobs.
• Residential electricity price increases of up to 60 percent.
• Gasoline price increases per gallon of up to 26 percent.

Indeed, industrial states like Indiana would suffer disproportionate damage from Waxman-Markey and whatever climate-control scheme the Senate develops.

The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s largest advocacy organizatoin for small businesses, has joined the National Association of Manufacturers in sponsoring the comprehensive advertising campaign about Waxman-Markey now under way in 13 states. NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner explains:

We’re very concerned about the impact of the legislation on small businesses. America’s job creators are struggling enough in this economy and don’t need additional burdens. Small business owners are not able to adjust the price of their goods and services quickly enough to match potentially steep energy cost increases without hurting their customer base. The Waxman-Markey bill would significantly raise energy-related costs and lead to considerable job losses.

Here’s the TV spot that focuses on the damage the cap-and-trade regime will do to businesses and workers.

The initial stage of the campaign reaches the public in Alaska, Arkansas, Indiana, Missouri, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia. With the House having already passed H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, AKA Waxman-Markey, the ads encourage the public to communicate with the Senators who will next consider cap-and-trade legislation.

BTW, the ads posted at YouTube are the ones meant for Indiana (and cosponsored by the Indiana Manufacturers Association — thanks!), but they are fundamentally the same spots in the other dozen states.