Amazon unveiled its fulfillment center in southwest suburban Romeoville Thursday afternoon.
Amazon’s “fulfillment centers” are essentially massive warehouses. They're what allow you to order a new laundry hamper Monday night and have it delivered Tuesday morning.
That earned Amazon praise from local politicians, including Romeoville Mayor John Noak, who declared Wednesday "Amazon.com Day" in the city.
"We couldn't be more excited to have Amazon invest and expand in Illinois," Gov. Bruce Rauner said. "Illinois should be a job-creation destination, and this new fulfillment center represents what can happen when we make an effort to attract high-quality employers, encourage investment and create jobs."
The Romeoville fulfillment center was the fourth to open in Illinois, and is located ten miles from the first fulfillment center to open in Joliet. The new center plans to offer jobs at pay ranging from $12 to 17 per hour.
Currently, Amazon employs more than 1,000 people and has committed to creating more than 8,000 jobs in Illinois at nine different facilities. Amazon expansion plans include two projects each for Edwardsville and Joliet, and single projects in Goose Island, Romeoville, Waukegan, Monee and Aurora.
- Illinois Public Radio's Miles Bryan contributed to this story.