Rep. Jehan Gordon (D-Peoria) on Thursday toured the Keystone Steel and Wire manufacturing plant in Bartonville and visited with workers during the afternoon shift change. Earlier this year, Gordon worked with the legislature to pass a new law allowing Keystone to continue utilizing a vital tax incentive, putting the company in a better position itself for future growth and avoid massive layoffs.

“During these tough economic times, I believe it is more important than ever to keep an open relationship with local employers and find ways out of this recession,” Gordon said. “Keystone is one of the largest employers in our community and their work to retain employees in the face of a downtrodden economy is commendable. We have a made a lot of progress in supporting the state’s manufacturing industry and I wanted to tour this factory and meet with Keystone workers to see how I can be of further help.”

Senate Bill 328 was signed by the Governor in January and will help increase job retention for the next three years. Gordon worked with Senators Koehler and Risinger, as well as Rep. Mike Smith to help pass the legislation.

During Thursday’s afternoon shift change, Gordon talked with workers about the challenges they are facing in the struggling economy. She also spoke with Keystone executives about the current business environment and the major issues facing local manufacturers.

“Putting people back to work and creating new jobs are so important to helping our community and our state economies get back on track,” Gordon. “We must continue supporting the many world-class manufacturers in our community because they provide so many head-of-household incomes and produce some of the world’s leading technologies and products. If our economy is to recover, it will need healthy companies and a strong, growing workforce.”

Gordon represents the 92nd District, which includes all or portions of Bartonville, Peoria, Peoria Heights, West Peoria and communities in Limestone and Kickapoo townships.