Gary Amass

“My job with Chrysler is the longest job I’ve ever had. I’ll have 30 years under my belt in May, all in automotive manufacturing and assembly.

“People on the line, a lot of them say ‘you work for what you want, it’s not handed to you.’ That’s one of the things I like about my coworkers. They know making a good quality product means jobs stay in the U.S.

“But from what I’ve seen in this state, the workers’ comp system is abused. People are getting real nice settlements for a paper cut. It’s just ridiculous. I am union but I’m commonsense union. You can’t go to extremes or you’re just going to work your way out of work. That needs to be taken care of. Right now the lawyers are the ones who benefit …

“If a manufacturer has to get their materials trucked in, there’s no way they’re going to survive in Illinois. That manufacturing goes away because of the other costs, the workman’s comp, property taxes and all that craziness.

“Now [manufacturers are] moving into Northern Indiana and Southern Wisconsin because it’s more cost-effective. The almighty buck. It’s nothing to say ‘Fine Illinois, you can have the property. Let’s pack it up and go.’”

Gary Amass
Belvidere, Illinois