LITTLE VILLAGE — Mayor Rahm Emanuel traveled Monday to Little Village to tout upgrades in the works to a factory that produces the nation's best-selling mayonnaise and other products.
The changes are designed to reduce truck traffic in the residential neighborhood near the factory at 4457 W. 26th St. by creating a new entrance on 26th Street to reroute trucks away from homes, Emanuel announced.
"We are seeing a revitalization of industrial corridors across Chicago and this investment by Unilever will only strengthen it,” Emanuel said in a statement. “Today Unilever is doubling down on the future we are building in Chicago and I look forward to working with them as they continue to grow and thrive for years to come."
In addition, Unilever will plant more than 430 trees and a vegetative barrier on the site’s north and east boundaries, officials said.
“The investment will help us improve our site to operate more efficiently and is designed to benefit our neighborhood with reduced truck traffic and beautiful landscaping and buffering,” said Unilever Supply Leader Mark Carter.
After the company announced expansion of the plant last year, some local groups complained of an increase of diesel trucks rumbling through the neighborhood.
Ald. Ricardo Munoz (22nd) said he was hopeful the factory, which now employs 200 people, will add jobs.
“This plant supports hundreds of neighborhood jobs and this investment will help it continue to operate and benefit the Little Village community for generations to come,” Munoz said in a statement.
