A Des Plaines-based logistics and warehousing company plans to close operations at its University Park facility and lay off 89 employees in staggered phases this fall, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Timeline and scope of layoffs
The WARN notice, submitted on July 10 by CJ Logistics America, LLC, states the company will begin the first round of layoffs with 59 employees on Friday. An additional 18 workers are scheduled to be laid off Oct. 3, and the remaining 12 employees are expected to lose their jobs Oct. 30.
CJ Logistics, which operates nationwide distribution and warehousing services and lists its corporate base in Des Plaines, did not respond to telephone or email requests for comment from the Peoria Journal Star. The company’s notice to state officials is the primary source of the timeline and figures.
What a WARN filing means
Under federal and state WARN requirements, employers must notify state workforce agencies and affected workers in advance of significant business closures or mass layoffs. The notices give workers, their representatives and local officials time to prepare and to seek retraining or transition assistance. The CJ Logistics filing provides the dates and numbers local and state agencies will use to coordinate any response.
Local impact and community concerns
University Park, like many suburban communities that host distribution centers, can feel outsized effects when a warehouse reduces staff or shuts down. Workers employed at logistics facilities often include full- and part-time staff, seasonal hires and those who rely on predictable shifts for income and benefits. While the WARN filing details the numbers and dates, it does not specify whether affected employees will be offered transfers to other CJ Logistics sites, severance, or other departure assistance.
- 59 employees — laid off beginning this month
- 18 employees — laid off Oct. 3
- 12 employees — laid off Oct. 30
| Layoff date | Number of employees |
|---|---|
| Beginning this month (Friday) | 59 |
| Oct. 3 | 18 |
| Oct. 30 | 12 |
State response and worker resources
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) receives WARN notices and can connect affected workers with state workforce services, including job-search assistance, resume help and information about training programs. State unemployment insurance is administered through the Illinois Department of Employment Security, which handles claims for lost wages after layoffs.
Local workforce centers typically coordinate with employers and community partners to offer rapid response services after WARN notices are filed. Those services can include on-site meetings, referrals to reemployment programs and information about federal and state benefits.
Broader industry context
Distribution, warehousing and logistics operations are sensitive to shifts in retail demand, freight patterns and corporate consolidation. Companies sometimes consolidate warehouses to reduce duplication of services or to move operations closer to transportation hubs, and these decisions can result in closures or staff reductions at particular sites. The CJ Logistics filing does not state the rationale for the layoffs or whether they reflect a permanent closure of the University Park facility.
Until the company provides further detail, community leaders and workforce agencies will rely on the WARN notice to plan outreach to affected employees and assess longer-term impacts on the local labor market.
What affected workers can do now
Workers named in WARN notices should expect contact from their employer and from local workforce agencies. Early actions include filing for unemployment benefits, attending any employer or rapid-response meetings, and inquiring about internal transfer opportunities or severance. Those unsure where to start can contact the Illinois DCEO or the Illinois Department of Employment Security for guidance on next steps.
WE NEWS has reached out to CJ Logistics for further comment and will update this article if the company responds.
