By DeKalb Times |
Dec 12, 2023
The roots of automobile manufacturing in the United States can be traced back to Illinois, specifically Peoria, where the Duryea brothers mass-produced and marketed the first gasoline-powered car in 1893. However, the automotive industry in Illinois has had its share of ups and downs over the years.One recent setback was when Stellantis, Chrysler's parent company, idled its assembly plant in Belvidere in February 2023, leading to the layoff of 1,350 employees. This factory had been an economic engine for the town for decades. However, after a six-week strike by United...