CHICAGO – Gov. Rod Blagojevich announced today that he is directing the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to work with the employees of INTERMET following the announced closure today of its Decatur-based facility that employs more than 300 workers.  To address the immediate needs of these employees, Gov. Blagojevich is dispatching the state’s Rapid Response Team to assist with skills assessment, worker training and job placement.

“We worked tirelessly to keep INTERMET’s operations strong in Illinois.  But now that INTERMET has, unfortunately, decided to close this facility, its workers have my administration’s complete support as we try to make this difficult transition as painless as possible.  We are sending our Rapid Response Team with important resources for job training and assistance so these employees can find new work and continue to support their families,” said Gov. Blagojevich.

"This company has a long history in Decatur, first as Wagner Castings and today as INTERMET, and it has provided important, union jobs in our community.  For two years, I have worked with Gov. Blagojevich, legislative leaders and INTERMET to do everything possible to keep this Decatur plant open, including sponsoring legislation to reinstate the Manufacturer’s Purchase Credit at the request of INTERMET.  While this news is devastating, I will work with Gov. Blagojevich and state legislative leaders to keep these workers employed or to put these people back to work as soon as possible," said State Representative Bob
Flider (D-Decatur).

“This is certainly a very difficult day for Decatur and Central Illinois.  Gov. Blagojevich and I tried to partner with INTERMET, as we do with so many other companies in the Central region and across the state, but, ultimately, the company felt it needed to consolidate its operations,” said DCEO Director Jack Lavin.  “Our Rapid Response Team will provide the necessary tools and resources to put these hard working men and women back to work as quickly as possible.”