Lion Electric Opens In Joliet: 1,400 Automotive Jobs

JOLIET, IL — Congressman Bill Foster, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, Senators Tammy Duckworth, Dick Durbin joined Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Joliet Mayor Terry D'Arcy celebrating the grand opening of the first new automotive production plant in Illinois in decades. Friday's celebration took place inside the gigantic electric bus manufacturing plant off Youngs Road near Route 6 in Joliet.

Two years ago, Pritzker came to this property when this was just a spec building to let everyone that a Quebec-based company, Lion Electric, would be bringing 1,400 full-time automotive jobs to Illinois, specifically, to Joliet, the self-proclaimed "City of Champions."

Now, production of electric buses is underway, and Lion Electric informed Friday's audience of about 600 people that it intends to produce 20,000 electric vehicles annually once assembly line production hits full stride.

"On behalf of the elected officials and residents, I want to welcome all of you to the great City of Joliet," Mayor D'Arcy greeted the Lion Electric company executives and employees.

"This will bring roughly 1,400 jobs in the future to Joliet and Will County. At a time when our country is faced with historic flooding, damaging tornadoes and dangerous heat waves, one can’t help but think about our climate and what the future holds for our children and grandchildren.

"We all know fossil fuel emissions are a contributing factor to global warming. That is why what Lion Electric is doing is so important. This company has made it its mission to take the lead in moving our nation from a reliance on gas and oil to electric vehicles which is better for our environment and for protecting our planet for generations to come.

"As someone who understands transportation and automotive needs, I truly appreciate the technology Lion is instituting to improve the environment and the future for all of us. Thank you to the leadership of Lion Electric for choosing our city for your new facility."

When Governor Pritzker stepped up to the podium, he received a loud round of applause from the audience.

"I want to express my gratitude to (Will) County chair (Jennifer) Bertino-Tarrant, to Mayor D'Arcy, to the many local officials, economic development and elected officials who made today's announcement possible," Pritzker began his remarks. "Yesterday, I returned home from taking an Illinois delegation overseas where countries from multiple countries gathered together to discuss trade and investment in our state to advance our electric vehicle and clean energy future."

According to Pritzker, "the state of Illinois is putting itself on the map internationally and the world is taking notice. So it's altogether fitting and prideworthy to celebrate today with this fantastic milestone from one of the most innovative and zero emission vehicle manufacturers in the world, Lion Electric. This new facility delivers a tremendous boost for Illinois' clean energy economy and our environmental leadership, too. The number of jobs being created by Lion Electric has nearly doubled to 1,400 just since the announcement of its investment two years ago. And this is now the first new dedicated vehicle assembly plant to be built in the metropolitan Chicago area in over 50 years ..."