Walmart Supercenter officially opens in Cicero with 420 new jobs

May 21, 2014 | Filed under: Community,News | Posted by: admin +

Walmart Supercenter officially opens in Cicero with 420 new jobs 5.00/5 (100.00%) 3 votes

Walmart Supercenter officially opens in Cicero with 420 new jobs

Officials of the Town of Cicero officials and Walmart Tuesday cut the ribbon on a new 191,000 sq ft Walmart Supercenter store at 33^rd and Cicero that created more than 400 new jobs in the West suburban community.

Town President Larry Dominick and store manager Lisa Perez, a Cicero resident, said nearly one quarter of the new jobs have gone to Cicero residents. The store officially opened to the public the following day on Wednesday May 21.

Walmart officials said more than 8,300 people submitted applications for the jobs during hiring events coordinated with the Town.

“I began my career with Walmart a little over 18 years ago as an hourly associate at the Joliet store. I have had six different positions and I am now proud to lead this great team of people into this Cicero community. They are excited as I am to be here and provide our customers with the best shopping experience,” said Peres, who lives in Cicero along with several of the new stores management.

“We have an expanded Hispanic grocery selection offering and many locally produced product offerings. … At Walmart, it is our mission to help our customers to save money so they can live better on what they want and what they need. Our store is about making our community stronger.”

The ribbon cutting included performances by the Morton High school Marching Band and the Morton High school Mariachi Band. Town officials who participated at the opening included Town Clerk Maria Punzo-Arias, Supervisor Joe Virruso, Collector Fran Reitz, and Trustees Dennis Raleigh, Victor Garcia and Larry Banks. Assessor Emilio Cundari and Trustee Lorraine Walsh both saluted the Walmart opening but were unable to attend Tuesday’s ceremonies.

Dominick thanked the Town officials and the Town’s legal team for finalizing the deal that took nearly a decade to complete.

“I want to thank Mike Del Galdo and his law group for so many countless hours of working on this. We started in 2005 and it took a long time, but we are finally here,” said Dominick, who also acknowledged the work of Cicero Project Manager Craig Pesek in completing the negotiations.

“I want to thank all the Town officials. They have been very patient. I can’t believe we are finally here. It has been a dream of mine to have Walmart here in Cicero. I love Walmart. I shop at Walmart. And we are glad they are here today. We’re very happy that so many local residents were able to find positions at the new store, too.”

Dominick thanked Perez for several charitable donations that Walmart has made to local schools and to the local park districts.

Dominick presented Perez with the Code Enforcement License so the store can serve food to the public, and the License Department that recognizes the store as a legally licensed establishment.

Dominick said he was so inspired by the performance of the Morton High school bands that he will donate $500 to help them with their projects.

Perez said that the Cicero Walmart Supercenter will continue to hire employees and estimated that at least 40 more jobs remained unfilled.

“We will be continuing to review job applications to fill those positions,” Perez promised. Interested applicants can go online to www.Walmart.com/apply to fill out an application.

Cicero is home to Walmart’s sister company, Sam’s Club, which is ranked as the number one revenue producing store in the country. Officials said they believed the new Walmart will also lead the country in sales.

“Over the years, we have worked hard to prove to businesses and companies throughout the country that Cicero is the best place to locate in terms of retail success and also industry and employment,” Dominick said.

Dominick noted that since 2005, more than two dozen major companies have relocated into Cicero including Wirtz Beverage Illinois, Menards, Sonic Restaurant, Fuller’s Car Wash, and Clover Hill Bakery.

Also present at the store launch were representatives for local officials including State Senator Martin Sandoval, State Senator Steven Landek, State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, State Rep. Mike Zalewski and State Rep. Silvana Tabares.

(PHOTO CAPTION: Cicero and Walmart officials cut the ribbon on the new 191,000 sq ft Cicero Walmart Supercenter, located at 33rd and Cicero Avenue.)

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