Chrysler's Belvidere plant reopens after 2 months

BELVIDERE -- Belvidere's 3.7 million-square-foot Chrysler auto assembly plant has resumed production after a nearly two-month break.

The Boone County economy is expected to get a boost from the approximately 1,700 workers who returned to work Monday after undergoing three days of training earlier this month.

The plant closed May 1, a day after Chrysler LLC entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. At the time it employed about 2,700 workers on two shifts. The company has since changed ownership, cut hundreds of dealers from its network and made massive personnel cuts.

Jerry Butitta Automotive Services owner Jerry Butitta says he is ecstatic that work is resuming at the plant. He says there is a buzz going through the city over people being back a work.

The Belvidere plant assembles Dodge Calibers, Jeep Patriots and Jeep Compasses.