Chrysler Plant Welcomes Back 2nd Shift

[rickaren]

Belvidere Chrysler Plant Welcomes Back 2nd Shift & Pays What It Owes to County in Property Taxes


Tuesday, Nov 17, 2009

It's a sign of hope for hundreds of stateline workers. The second shift started back Tuesday at Chrysler's Belvidere Plant.

Although this second shift is only temporary, it provides a much-needed paycheck for a lot of stateline workers, who've been unemployed for months.

"I'll be in the body shop, working with robotics," says Melissa Chapman. She's one of Chrysler's new hires. "I've been off work since July. Me and my husband have been barely getting by. I found out about the job through the newspaper and applied online."

But not all of the second-shift workers are new to the Belvidere plant. Many were called back, after being laid off earlier this year.

They'll be working on the Jeep Compass and Patriot, which will both be getting redesigned for next year. As well as the Dodge Caliber, which is also getting some updates. The company wants to boost production and make 10,000 more Calibers in the next two months.

For Chapman, that means one thing. "Stability again, and a job to be able to go to everyday. It will help 100%," she says.

But for how long, is still unknown. "We don't know, we just go day by day and hope for the best," she says.

Company leaders have not said how long the second shift will be working. It relies heavily on how well Chrysler does over the next few months. Auto industry analysts are warning that unless Chrysler starts selling more cars, it might have to close more plants.

Because Chrysler filed for bankruptcy last spring, the company didn't have to pay its real estate taxes to Boone County. That bill was nearly $900,000.

That means payments have been delayed to the City of Belvidere, its school district, and other taxing bodies.

After filing a claim - asking for the full payment plus interest penalties - Boone County State's Attorney, Michelle Courier, got the company to pay up.

"They have paid all their taxes and about $30,000 worth of interest, which is, as far as I know, the biggest interest payment from a single taxpayer," says Boone County Treasurer, Curt Newport.

The $30,000 interest payment will go into the county's general fund.

LINK:Belvidere Chrysler Plant Welcomes Back 2nd Shift & Pays What It Owes to County in Property Taxes