Budzinski Applauds Plans for Rising Pharmaceuticals Plant in Decatur
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) issued the following statement applauding the announcement that Rising Pharmaceuticals will be opening a commercial manufacturing facility in Decatur, Illinois. The plant will manufacture and package injectables and ophthalmic products in the former Akorn Pharmaceuticals facility.
“Six months ago, Akorn Pharmaceuticals left working families high and dry with a surprise closure of their Decatur facility. Today, I’m excited to celebrate the news that Rising Pharmaceuticals will be reopening this manufacturing facility and restoring good-paying jobs right here in our community,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “I look forward to meeting with Rising Pharmaceuticals’ leadership to learn more about their plans to drive economic opportunity and enhance our nation’s health care supply chain.”
Following the surprise closure of the Akorn Pharmaceuticals plant in February, Congresswoman Budzinski was immediately in touch with state and local leaders to coordinate response efforts and visit with impacted workers at a workshop where they could connect with layoff assistance. Since then, Budzinski has worked closely with the House Education and Workforce Committee to pursue improvements to the Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act to better serve impacted workers.
Budzinski also sent a letter to Akorn Pharmaceuticals leadership laying out her deep concerns with the company’s surprise layoffs. Akorn closed their Decatur facility with no advanced warning to state or local officials – leaving more than 400 workers jobless and violating the Illinois Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act.
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