CHICAGO — Several fast-moving developments across Illinois this week include the scrapping of a major EV battery project, a youth film competition announcement, and a Chicago-style tribute to a hometown pope.
$5 Billion Stellantis EV Battery Project Abandoned In Belvidere
Plans for a large electric vehicle battery and parts distribution center in Belvidere have officially been dropped by Stellantis, according to reports confirmed by the United Auto Workers.
The facility was originally announced in late 2023 as part of a $5 billion investment, with $334 million in federal support under the Biden administration. However, a UAW spokesperson told Automotive News that the battery and parts hub are no longer part of the automaker’s vision for the Belvidere Assembly Plant.
The reversal deals a blow to local economic hopes for the Boone County area, which had anticipated hundreds of new jobs and renewed industrial activity.
Illinois Launches Youth Film Contest With $250 Prize
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is inviting young filmmakers to participate in the Shortcuts Short Film Contest, a statewide competition managed by the Illinois Film Office.
The contest is open to Illinois residents or students aged 22 or younger, with a $250 cash prize for the winner. The top short film will be showcased at a Rockford-based film festival in November.
Organizers say the contest is part of a push to highlight emerging creative voices from across the state, offering a platform for independent film projects that reflect the local spirit.
Dolton Native Pope Leo XIV Joins Bobblehead Hall Of Fame
In a quirky nod to Illinois religious history, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum has unveiled the first-ever bobblehead of Pope Leo XIV, who hails from Dolton, Illinois.
The collectible joins a distinguished bobblehead lineup featuring iconic Chicagoans like Barack and Michelle Obama and Sister Jean, the beloved spiritual figure from Loyola University.
The Pope Leo XIV bobblehead is priced at $30 plus $8 for shipping, and can be purchased directly through the National Bobblehead Museum’s website.
Should Stellantis be held accountable for withdrawing such a massive project after federal support? Are bobbleheads a fun way to preserve Chicago legacy figures — or do they miss the mark?
Drop your thoughts in the comments on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
