New Amazon Center For Channahon Means 500-Plus Jobs

CHANNAHON, IL — Channahon resident and village board member Scott Slocum often has the inside news on local government and businesses. On Friday morning, the popular Joliet show host revealed that Amazon will be opening a fulfillment center in his village outside Joliet.

WJOL-1340 News reports the new Amazon warehouse will be located east of Interstate 55 and Bluff Road. "To have this company as part of your tax roll is kind of an important deal," Slocum announced on the air.

In Slocum's interview with the Channahon Mayor Missey Schumacher, she told WJOL listeners that the new Channahon fulfillment center will be different from most Amazon facilities. This one will focus on large equipment such as furniture, kayaks and refrigerators.

Amazon issued a press release announcing that it is creating more than 500 new, full-time jobs starting at $15 an hour with comprehensive benefits starting on day one.

"Employees at the more than one million-square-foot fulfillment center will pick, pack and ship large customer items, such as sports equipment, patio furniture, fishing rods, pet food, kayaks, bicycles, and larger household goods. Amazon currently employs more than 11,000 full-time associates throughout the state of Illinois," the press release stated.

On top of Amazon’s $15 minimum wage, the company said that it offers full-time employees comprehensive benefits including full medical, vision, and dental insurance as well as a 401(k) with 50 percent match starting on day one. The company also offers up to 20 weeks of maternal and parental paid leave and innovative benefits such as Leave Share and Ramp Back, which give new parents flexibility with their growing families.