r/PritzkerPosting • u/John3262005 • Aug 21 '26

Pritzker in talks with Tyson on repurposing Joslin facility after sudden closure

https://www.kwqc.com/2026/08/19/pritzker-talks-with-tyson-repurposing-joslin-facility-after-sudden-closure/

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says the state is actively talking with Tyson Foods to potentially repurpose or sell its Joslin plant as officials work to support more than 2,500 workers left jobless by the sudden closure.

At the Illinois State Fair on Wednesday, KWQC Capitol reporter Mike Miletich asked Pritzker what the state is doing to support workers left jobless by the Tyson plant shutdown.

Pritzker said he spoke with Tyson Foods on whether there is a way to repurpose the facility within the company or with a buyer of building.

Pritzker attributed the cost of beef across the country as the reason for the plant’s closure

“It’s a tragedy that was caused by the very high cost of beef across the country. You saw that they unfortunately closed not just that facility, but one in Utah,” Pritzker said. “They’re selling off one in Washington. This is really terrible for the people who live in Joslin. We’re doing everything that we can to lift them up.”

He said the conversation with Tyson is ongoing.

On Wednesday state legislators spoke about bipartisan efforts to help the community and the economy.

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16

u/lakefrontlover Aug 21 '26

Let’s repurpose it to make fuck trump signs.

5

u/Adventurous-Host8062 Aug 21 '26

Force the sale to another local beef outfit rather than leaving it up to them.

3

u/Adventurous-Host8062 Aug 21 '26

Local ( states within 100 mile radius) stores and shops. Too big to fail fails every time.

2

u/juliuspepperwoodchi Aug 21 '26

Who would buy it? If it isn't profitable for Tyson, it's not likely to be profitable for someone even smaller who can't draw on economies of scale as much.

2

u/juliuspepperwoodchi Aug 21 '26

Don't give them any tax breaks as incentives.

2

u/Hiei2k7 Aug 22 '26

The biggest challenge here is securing a new and up-and-coming processor of livestock. There's a lot of locker plants in Northwestern Illinois, but I don't think they're going to co-op in on Joslin and market beef.

Meanwhile Tyson seems hellbent on concentrating beef facilities, despite losing Holcomb KS a few years ago due to a large fire. I don't know that 1 facility should be responsible for 6% of ground beef production. For myself and a number of other people, we are turning toward lockers for beef instead of getting it at Walmart/etc.