April 19, 2022 – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association “Makers Madness” contest has progressed to the final round of voting. This is the last chance for voters to decide which product is The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois.
Over the past week, 25,000 votes were cast in this round alone and the original field of more than 400 products, nominees for The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois have now been narrowed down to the last four.
- The Custom Blazed Diffraction Gratings – manufactured by Inprentus Precision Optics in Champaign.
- The R1T all-electric vehicle – manufactured by Rivian Inc. in Normal.
- Fruit by the Foot – made by General Mills in Belvidere.
- The Orion Spacecraft Capsule’s Aft Bulkhead, Barrel, and Tunnel – made by Ingersoll Machine Tools Inc. in Rockford.
The final round of voting is open HERE through 11:59 pm on April 24. Voters may cast one vote per day for any of the four finalists. The winner of the contest will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion on April 27, when The Coolest Thing Made in Illinois will be named.
