TechAmerica Announces Expansion of State Policy Program in Illinois

CHICAGO, May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- TechAmerica today announced efforts to expand the focus and depth of its state policy program in Illinois. TechAmerica will begin holding additional legislative events, providing access to a more comprehensive suite of resources through its legislative tracking service, and increasing access to the organization's extensive roster of policy experts, lobbyists, analysts, and consultants. Additional enhancements will be implemented prior to the beginning of session next year.

Each year TechAmerica's state policy team analyzes, monitors and lobbies hundreds of legislative issues in Illinois and throughout the country on behalf of the technology industry. Since officially establishing its Midwest state policy program in 2005, TechAmerica has successfully represented the technology industry on more than sixty onerous bills in Illinois alone, and has successfully introduced and supported numerous legislative issues focused on green procurement, the adoption of digital textbooks in Illinois schools, technology investment tax credits, R&D incentives and efforts to create a business friendly environment that supports innovation.

"As Chairman of the Midwest Board and member of the National Board for TechAmerica, I see first-hand the significant impact this organization has in Illinois, across the country and abroad on policy and regulatory matters," said T. Kendall Hunt, Chairman, CEO, VASCO Data Security International, Inc. "TechAmerica is the leading voice for our industry in Illinois and throughout the country on state policy issues and continues to provide unique and effective representation for the technology industry."

Hundreds of small to midsized members, and nearly all Fortune 1000 technology companies in the United States, participate in TechAmerica's comprehensive state, federal and international policy program. This established program includes more than sixty issue based commercial and public sector committees, numerous recurring weekly policy calls, a complimentary state legislative tracking service, and nearly thirty in-house and outside contract state lobbyists providing full-time coverage and representation in Illinois and all 50 states.

"Only TechAmerica covers the full breadth of issues facing our industry in Illinois and throughout the country, including ecommerce, telecom, procurement, tax, investment incentives, education, environment, health IT, information security, RFID, and economic development," said Ed Longanecker, Executive Director, TechAmerica. "We have invested heavily in our advocacy program and will continue our efforts to expand our reach and effectiveness."

Earlier this year, TechAmerica and its partners announced the creation of the Illinois Technology Alliance (ILTA), a new coalition focused on ensuring innovation and economic growth in Illinois by leveraging existing government affairs efforts. The collaborative effort works to advance policy initiatives during the 97th General Assembly and beyond that support job creation and economic strength for critical industry sectors, including high tech manufacturing, information technology, biotech, life sciences and venture capital.

Founding members of the Illinois Technology Alliance include the Illinois Venture Capital Association (IVCA), Illinois Science & Technology Coalition (ISTC), Illinois Biotech Industry Organization (iBIO®) and TechAmerica. Working together, these organizations aim to create a stronger, more coordinated voice for innovation-driven public policy initiatives and industries in Illinois.

About TechAmerica

TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry – the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,200 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing).It was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA).Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org.

SOURCE TechAmerica