7 Illinois JCPenney Stores To Close

Seven Illinois locations are among 138 JCPenney stores closing nationwide.

Last month, the Texas-based company announced it was closing brick-and-mortar stores and several distribution centers across the country to better compete in a changing marketplace where online shopping has become common.

"We are pleased with the double digit growth of jcpenney.com and how leveraging our brick and mortar locations is enabling us to offset the last-mile delivery cost," the company said in a statement in February.

“We believe closing stores will also allow us to adjust our business to effectively compete against the growing threat of online retailers,” CEO Marvin R. Ellison said.

The Illinois closings include JCPenney stores at the following shopping centers, plus a freestanding location in Macomb:

• Centerpointe of Woodridge, Woodridge
• Eastland Mall, Bloomington
• Fulton Square, Canton
• Village Square Mall, Effingham
• Peru Mall, Peru
• Northland Mall, Sterling

A full timetable for closings has not been released, but JCPenney has said liquidation will begin April 17 and most stores will shut their doors in June.

The closings will affect a reported 5,000 jobs nationwide.

"JCPenney is in the process of identifying relocation opportunities within the Company for esteemed leaders," the company said Friday in a news release. "Additionally, JCPenney will provide outplacement support services for those eligible associates who will be leaving the Company."

Photo by Mike Mozart via Flickr used under Creative Commons