February 28, 2020

Duckworth Visits Diageo in Plainfield, Highlighting Importance of Illinois Manufacturing

 

[PLAINFIELD, IL] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today toured Diageo Plainfield, a manufacturing site that houses both a technical center and production facility with more than 600 total employees in the Will County area. Duckworth was joined by Illinois State Senator Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (IL-SD-49) and Plainfield Mayor Michael Collins, and the three discussed how local, state and federal officials can continue to work together to improve local infrastructure and support economic development in the region. Photos from today’s visit are available here.

“Manufacturing sites like this are so important to our local economies, and I’m proud facilities like Diageo’s have a home right here in Illinois,” Duckworth said. “I’ll keep working with state and local officials, including Senator Bertino-Tarrant and Mayor Collins, throughout the region to ensure manufacturing and infrastructure is supported in Illinois to grow our local economies and create jobs.”

“Will County is home to great businesses like Diageo. I’m thankful to have wonderful partners in US Senator Tammy Duckworth and Mayor Collins who work diligently to support  economic development efforts,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “I’m committed to working with businesses and elected officials at every level of government to make sure Will County’s workers are trained to meet the needs of employers, our roads, bridges and highways are up to date and businesses have what they need to be successful.”

“Plainfield is extremely fortunate to have a corporate citizen like Diageo and legislators, at both the Federal and State level, like Senator Duckworth and Senator Bertino-Tarrant who understand the value of good jobs and good businesses,” Collins said. “We are proud of the fact that we are home to Diageo’s technical center, a state-of-the-art production center, and their most recent addition – a 1.5 million square foot distribution facility. It is, indeed, an impressive operation.”

“Diageo has built a 54 year legacy in the Village of Plainfield through its manufacturing operations and commitment to the community,” said Pietro DiPilato, Technical & Governance Senior Vice President, Diageo North America. “Our expansion over the years has included major investments in our business, our people and our local community. As the world’s largest premium drinks business, Diageo is very proud to house state of the art production facilities, critical innovation and technical operations in Illinois as support for our business across North America and beyond.”

Duckworth has been a longtime supporter of infrastructure projects in the region, including Plainfield’s most recent grant application for the 143rd Street Extension Plainfield and Regional Community Connector. The project would connect Route 126 and Route 59, open a vital east-west corridor and enable commuters and trucks to improve access to I-55.

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