Distribution center to make impact on Illinois Valley
By Mandy Gracey
Apache Staff
Those who drrive on U.S. Route 6 north of Spring Valley, have probably noticed the construction of what is to be a Wal-Mart Distribution Center, which encompasses a total of 1.2 million square feet.
The center, which will distribute merchandise to stores across the Midwest, will hire more than 600 people by the end of March 2001, enough to have impact on the local job market and possibly on IVCC.
At press time, John Padlo of the Illinois Department of Employment Security Office said IDES had already taken over 650 applications, “and we expect to receive 4,000 to 5,000 applications before the hiring process is complete.”
When asked what effect the opening of the facility would have on the local communities, Padlo said, “It will affect everyone. Their high starting wages will not only draw individuals from present employers to the center, it will also set a competitive standard for other facilities.
“Workplaces such as Eakas, J.C. Whitney, Ace Hardware and Advantage Logistics will have to increase their wages to keep their existing employees,” Padlo said. “This will also be true of non-factory based employers like retail stores, smaller area businesses, and even food service facilities.”
According to IDES, work shifts and starting pay will be:- First shift, Tuesday through Friday, 10 hour days, $11.50 per hour.- Second shift, Tuesday through Friday, 10 hour nights, $12.05 per hour.- Third shift, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, 12 hour days, $13.05.
Cathy Bangert, director of the Dislocated Workers Center at IVCC, said “the affects on the students and IVCC attendance and enrollment will be interesting to see. The high wages might stand to draw a portion of students not only away from their present employers, but also out of college.”
On Sept. 25, after wage figures appeared in local newspapers, the LaSalle IDES office had long lines of people picking up applications.Padlo said Wal-Mart is taking applications exclusively through IDES.
The job requirements are to be at least 18 years old, be able to stand or walk for 10 hours or more and be able to lift 10 to 60 pounds. Padlo said the center will hire 100 people in December, 200 people in January, 200 people in February, and the last 100 in March.
Interviews are scheduled tentatively to begin during the first or second week of October for the opening of the facility in mid-December.