CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) — A product developed in Champaign is moving on in a statewide competition highlighting the best of Illinois manufacturing.
The Curved Blazed Diffraction Grating, produced by Inprentus, Inc., is among the Top 16 finalists in the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s annual “Makers Madness” contest. The bracket-style competition invites the public to vote on what they believe is the coolest product made in the state.
The Champaign-made optical component, used in advanced scientific and research applications, is the closest local contender remaining in the competition.
Other finalists span the state, beginning with nearby Bloomington, where Ferrero produces Kinder Bueno, also advancing to the Top 16.
Farther west in East Moline, the John Deere Combine — manufactured by John Deere — remains one of the top vote-getters. Nearby Peoria is represented by ROHN self-supporting towers from ROHN Products, LLC.
In southern Illinois, the MQ-25 Stingray — built by The Boeing Company in Mascoutah — also advanced, along with a Duck Skimmer made by Elastec in Carmi.
Several entries come from the Chicago area, including the 6000-RLA Ice Flaker from Howe Corporation in Chicago, NERDS Juicy Gummy Clusters by Ferrara Candy Company, and an ADA bus transport seat from Freedman by Lippert. Additional suburban entries include products from Oak Lawn, Alsip, Elk Grove Village, Hodgkins and St. Charles.
One of the northernmost finalists is the NASA Standard Initiator, manufactured by Chemring Energetic Devices in Downers Grove.
Organizers say nearly 80,000 votes were cast to narrow the field from more than 100 nominated products down to 16. The contest is designed to showcase the role manufacturing plays in Illinois’ economy, where the industry contributes hundreds of billions of dollars annually and supports a significant share of jobs statewide.
Voting for the current round is open through March 29, with participants allowed to vote once per day in each matchup. Winners will advance through additional rounds until the final product is named during an awards ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield on April 15.