Pritzker told Northpoint development would ‘create thousands of jobs’
Pritzker told Northpoint development would ‘create thousands of jobs’ (Joliet, IL) – A group of locally elected officials have signed off on a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker asking him to look into getting started on the $1.9 billion Compass Global Logistics Hub known as the Northpoint Project.
“We are writing in regard to action taken by the City of Joliet on December 16, 2020 to move forward with the construction of the Compass Global Logistics Hub – a $1.9 billion project that will create thousands of jobs and produce significant new revenue for the state and local economies,” reads the letter, which includes the signatures of Joliet Mayor Bob O’DeKirk, Will County executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, U.S. Sens. Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and U.S. Reps. Bobby Rush (D-Chicago), Robin Kelly (D-Matteson), Bill Foster (D-Aurora) and Marie Newman (D-Oak Lawn).
“With the City of Joliet’s approval, the next step for the project is to coordinate with state and local officials to ensure the development produces the greatest net benefit, including improving road safety and efficient flow of commerce, for the local region and state,” the letter adds.
To help jump start the process, the group is now requesting a meeting with Pritzker to discuss the next steps in the project.
“Advocates for the project have contacted you to request the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) assume responsibility of a stretch of thoroughfare, Walter Strawn Road in Will County, to ease traffic congestion that will come with the construction of a proposed bridge, constructed at no cost to the state, over Route 53,” supporters added in the letter.
Rush previously called on the governor to sign a bill that would allow for construction to begin, which he insists could mean upwards of ten thousand jobs for the Joliet area.
Opponents of the project, such as Stop NorthPoint, are encouraging the governor to protect Abraham Lincoln National cemetery from the truck noise and pollution. A group known as Warehouse Workers for Justice also recently held a rally to urge Pritzker to not intervene.
Pritzker told Northpoint development would ‘create thousands of jobs’
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