ITL Logistics to make move from Elwood to Joliet intermodal

JOLIET — International Transload Logistics Inc. – a company specializing in domestic and international logistics and overweight truck handling – is relocating from its facility in Elwood to Joliet.

While the company was on the lookout for more space, the closure of the controversial Walter Strawn Drive crossing in Elwood and the uncertainty behind Will County's temporary allowance of overweight permits for Arsenal Road were major factors in the move, said John Roetter, president for ITL.

“It put us in a tough position,” Roetter said.

The new location is about four miles north of the company's previous location.

The logistics company had to shift its operations from its Wilmington facility to Elwood when the railroad crossing was closed because Walter Strawn Drive was, at the time, the only access point for overweights.

It's the second company to announce plans to move from Elwood to Joliet in recent months, in part due to the crossing's closure. Saddle Creek Logistics also is considering a change in venue.

Roetter said his company began looking "almost immediately for a plan B," when the railroad crossing in Elwood closed earlier this year, leaving the company's overweight customers without access to the intermodals.

Roetter said ITL will begin leasing the 303,061-square-foot space from CenterPoint Properties, the developer of the two intermodals, in early August.

The state-of-the-art building is located within the Joliet intermodal and offers immediate access to Interstate 55 and Interstate 80. The facility includes 42 dock doors and nearly 100 truck parking positions, according to a CenterPoint news release.

Roetter said he's not certain what will become of his 90,000-square-foot Wilmington facility, which the company owns. The company's 160,000-square-foot Elwood facility will be vacated and another company could potentially make use of the space.

Roetter said he looks forward to the move, noting the larger space in Joliet.

“This building has a bigger capacity, giving us opportunity to secure more business and expand,” Roetter said.

Roetter said he anticipates having an open house in August.

The Illinois Commerce Commission ruled earlier this year that the Walter Strawen Drive railroad crossing is "too dangerous" to remain open while a permanent solution to safety hazards can be found. In the meantime, state officials continue to talk with representatives from Elwood, CenterPoint Properties and the Union Pacific about potential solutions.

The next ICC hearing is set for July 7.