Growing Opposition to Gotion's Battery Plant in Kankakee County, Illinois
- There is increasing opposition to a Chinese company, Gotion, planning to build a battery plant in Kankakee County, Illinois.
- The project is backed by more than $8 billion in federal and state subsidies.
- Local sentiments appear mixed, with significant concern over the project's implications.
KANKAKEE COUNTY, IL – The proposed battery plant by Chinese company Gotion in Manteno, Illinois, is facing increasing opposition as concerns about its ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) come to light. Gotion is set to receive over $8 billion in federal and state subsidies for the facility, which has raised alarms among local and national lawmakers. U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood participated in discussions regarding Gotion's affiliations, particularly in light of a similar project in Michigan that has encountered significant pushback. In Michigan, a recall election resulted in the ousting of five local officials who supported tax incentives for Gotion, reflecting growing local discontent. A congressional committee has also presented allegations that Gotion benefits from forced labor practices in China, prompting LaHood and Rep. John Moolenaar to introduce the NO GOTION Act. This legislation aims to prevent companies linked to the CCP from receiving green energy tax credits under the Biden Administration's Inflation Reduction Act. Despite the backlash, Gotion's North American Operations VP, Chuck Thelen, has denied any connection to the CCP, asserting that the company operates independently and adheres to all relevant laws. He emphasized that the political affiliations of employees do not influence business decisions. Meanwhile, a lawsuit challenging the Manteno plant's zoning compliance and potential chemical hazards is currently under judicial review, with a decision expected by September 30.