Made in Illinois

A bottle of Jeppson’s Malört shown in 2009.

Get your wormwood on: Jeppson’s Malört returns to Chicago

Pilsen-based CH Distillery, the craft distillery known for its organic vodka and London dry gin, will begin making the strong-flavored liquor in 2019.

By Ryan Smith and Rachel Frazin

Made in Illinois

Music to Illinois’ ears: Instruments made here shipped around the world

Across Illinois, craftsmen quietly build some of America’s most storied musical instruments, including harps, violins and organs.

By Stefano Esposito

Made in Illinois

Illinois artisans turning hobbies into do-it-yourself businesses

Illinois artisans say there will always be a demand for the unique in a mass-produced world — from jewelry to metalworks to chocolate sauce.

By Sun-Times staff

Made in Illinois

Vinyl pressing plant Smashed Plastic breathes new life into record biz here

Chicago has gone for years without a single record being pressed here as vinyl records boom. Smashed Plastic Record Pressing aims to change that.

By Nader Issa

Made in Illinois

Spicy sauces making for hot business in Land of Lincoln

Hot sauce production is exploding as a small business trend in the Land of Lincoln — with more than a dozen companies popping up statewide.

By Jenniffer Weigel

Made in Illinois

The world keeps turning for state of Illinois manufacturers

Nearly one in 10 Illinois workers are employed in a company related to manufacturing, a sector of the state economy worth $101 billion.

By Neil Steinberg

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Made in Illinois

Technology, social justice inspire pair of Illinois fashion entrepreneurs

Whether it’s bow ties or shoes, Illinois fashion designers are putting the state on the style map, sometimes using cutting-edge technology.

By Maudlyne Ihejirika

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Made in Illinois

We got game: Chicago the capital of coin-op amusement industry for 80 years

Chances are high that if you can put a quarter in a machine and play it, it’s Illinois-built.

By Ryan Smith

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Made in Illinois

Illinois’ craft beer boom good news for small towns

Microbreweries are increasingly having a macro impact on the Main Streets of once-sleepy Illinois outposts like Petersburg.

By Ryan Smith

Made in Illinois

State of play: Illinois sports equipment makers big hitters nationwide

Illinois’ sporting goods manufacturers and designers create everything from baseball bats to hunting stands.

By Tom Musick