ILLINOIS — More than 300 workers were abruptly laid off when Johnsonville Foods suddenly shut down its Momence Packing Company facility on June 2, ending more than six decades of local employment and devastating the tight-knit community that depended on it.
Long-Standing Facility Closes Without Warning
The plant, originally built in 1962 and operated by Johnsonville as a sausage processing site since 1995, served as a cornerstone for Momence’s local economy. Workers were blindsided during a meeting in Kankakee when Johnsonville’s CEO announced the immediate closure of the facility.
“It’s like they didn’t even care about us,” said Lupe Hernandez, a 25-year employee. “Same day. Just gone.”
Even Momence Mayor Charles Steele was given only 15 minutes notice. Other local officials shared similar frustrations over the lack of communication.
Contradictions Spark Community Frustration
Just weeks before the shutdown, more than $1 million in new equipment had reportedly been installed at the facility — an investment that had given many workers and local leaders hope for long-term stability.
“If they’re investing in infrastructure, it means they planned to stay,” said Tim Nugent, CEO of the Economic Alliance of Kankakee County. “This blindsided us.”
Johnsonville claimed the closure was due to a restructuring plan to “optimize operations” across newer facilities in Wisconsin and Kansas, where around 100 new jobs will be added by Q3. The Momence site will be demolished by year’s end.
Workers Left Scrambling With Uncertainty
While Johnsonville has promised 60 days of pay and benefits, for employees like Hernandez who were close to retirement, the impact is severe.
“I had just three years left until I paid off my house,” she said.
Workers are now encouraged to:
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File for unemployment immediately
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Use local career centers for job retraining and resume help
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Consider gig work or temporary jobs in logistics or trades
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Reassess retirement plans and debt strategies
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Begin building emergency savings, even modestly
Broader Employment Concerns in Illinois
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reports a 4.2% unemployment rate, but jobless claims have been rising. The sudden closure highlights the fragility of long-standing industrial jobs in smaller Illinois towns.
Residents in Kankakee County and surrounding areas are urging local and state officials to provide economic support and transition services to ease the burden on affected families.
Were you or someone you know affected by the Momence plant closure? Share your story or advice for local job recovery in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
