Gov. Pritzker Highlights Jobs, Innovation, and Illinois’ Growing EV Ecosystem with Visit to Rivian Manufacturing Expansion

NORMAL – Today, Governor JB Pritzker joined Rivian and local leaders to highlight how Illinois’ investments in electric vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure, and workforce development are helping drive continued growth in the state’s electric vehicle ecosystem. As Rivian expands production of its R2 vehicle, the company’s growing footprint in Normal continues creating jobs and strengthening Illinois’ position as a leader in the future of manufacturing. Rivian is rapidly hiring employees to support production of the R2 midsize SUV and the company’s long-term growth in Illinois.

“Illinois is proving when you invest in people, infrastructure, and innovation, companies choose to grow here,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Rivian’s rollout of the R2 off the production line in Normal marks a major milestone that reflects years of partnership paying off. Rivian’s continued expansion is creating good-paying jobs, strengthening our manufacturing base, and helping to position central Illinois as a global hub for electric vehicle manufacturing.” ​

“What’s happening in Normal is bigger than one facility or one vehicle—it’s about building the next generation of American manufacturing right here in Illinois,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “From the supplier park to workforce training partnerships, this progress is creating lasting opportunity for local communities and showing that Illinois can compete and lead in the clean energy economy. We’re proud to support projects that connect innovation with real economic impact for families across the state.” ​

“We are grateful for the support of Governor Pritzker and all our Illinois state and local partners as we begin to launch R2,” said Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe. “As we prepare for this next phase in scale, technology, and affordability, we will continue to work closely with the state to support American manufacturing, provide thousands of good-paying jobs, and help maintain U.S. leadership in the technologies that are shaping our future.”

Driving EV Manufacturing Growth

In April 2026, Rivian rolled out the first R2 vehicle from its Normal manufacturing facility on Earth Day—a major milestone representing years of collaboration among the company and local, regional, and statewide partners. Now fully operational, Rivian’s supplier park is working seamlessly with the adjacent manufacturing plant to support R1 and R2 production and strengthen supply chain efficiency in Central Illinois. When fully scaled, the plant in Normal will be capable of manufacturing 155,000 R2 vehicles per year. ​

To support connectivity between the facilities while improving safety and minimizing traffic disruptions, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) provided an $11.5 million grant to construct a tunnel beneath U.S. Route 150 to connect the manufacturing plant and supplier park.

The supplier park has helped attract additional automotive suppliers to Illinois, further strengthening the state’s EV supply chain and creating new economic opportunities in the region. Once the supplier park is at full capacity, it will create hundreds of new jobs for Illinoisans. Rivian suppliers supported through Illinois’ Reimagining Energy and Vehicles (REV Illinois) program include:

“Rivian’s continued growth in Illinois is a great example of what can be achieved through strong collaboration between industry, government, and regional partners,” said Kristin Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “Through strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing, Illinois is building a robust electric vehicle ecosystem that is creating jobs, strengthening local communities, and driving long-term economic growth.”

“As the transportation hub of North America, Illinois has emerged as a leader in EV manufacturing and innovation under Gov. Pritzker,” said IDOT Secretary Gia Biagi. “We congratulate Rivian on their success and look forward to working together to create even more jobs and economic opportunity for many more years to come.”

Building the EV Workforce

Illinois has also made substantial investments to support workforce development tied to Rivian’s growth. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded a $5 million career and technical education grant to Heartland Community College to collaborate and create new manufacturing and technical career pathways (EV Pathways) connected to Rivian for local high school students. Heartland Community College continues implementation of EV Pathways activities focused on apprenticeship expansion, credential attainment, customized manufacturing training, and dual-credit pathway development, which have engaged approximately 140 participants to date.

“Career Technical Education (CTE) is a pathway not just to get a job but also build a career. ​ These are careers in some of the most in-demand fields in Illinois, like Electric Vehicle Technology,” said Dr. Keith Cornille, President of Heartland Community College. “Our CTE learners include traditional college students, dual credit students in high schools and career centers, and members of the existing workforce looking to upskill with new training. These are students who are committed to living, working, and most importantly, building their future in our community and in the state of Illinois. Having strong collaborative partnerships with employers like Rivian, as well as the support and investment on the state level, is key to growing our workforce and offering real opportunities for individuals.”

“The continued growth of Rivian in our community has been transformational in creating economic opportunity for our local workforce,” said Tyler Cravens, Interim CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council. “The R2 plant coming online combined with the supplier park developments are the latest investments that have resulted in good-paying jobs that support our local economy. Many of those job placements were made possible thanks to industry-specific training and education provided by Heartland Community College.”

Also in partnership with Heartland Community College, Illinois supported the creation of a dedicated EV manufacturing training academy, which is already training workers for careers in advanced manufacturing with Rivian. Looking ahead, with additional support from DCEO, Rivian will collaborate with community colleges across the region to launch an onsite manufacturing training academy at the company’s facility in Normal to further deepen the workforce pipeline. Local Workforce Innovation Areas from multiple regions have also partnered closely with Rivian to support recruitment, workforce attraction, and hiring efforts as employment continues to grow rapidly at both the manufacturing plant and supplier park. ​

“On behalf of Normal, congratulations to Rivian on this significant milestone. We are proud Normal is the production home of the R2,” said Normal Mayor Chris Koos. “As expected, the R2 is an exciting vehicle. Even more exciting, it’s built locally and another example of Rivian’s continued investment and belief in our community. We appreciate the positive impact Rivian has made on Normal, Bloomington and all of Central Illinois.”

“Rivian has become an important part of Bloomington’s story,” said Bloomington Mayor Dan Brady. “Their success means opportunity for local families, growth for our business community, and continued momentum for our region. Simply put, when Rivian does well, Bloomington does well.”

“The launch of the R2 line marks not only the opening of the factory’s expansion but also opening the affordability of long-range EVs to people everywhere,” said McLean County Board Chair Elizabeth Johnston. “It is an exciting new chapter for Rivian and a point of pride for our community.”

Creating Long-Term Economic Opportunity

Illinois has continued supporting the advancement of Rivian to cultivate long-term growth and further strengthen the state's EV manufacturing ecosystem. In 2024, Governor Pritzker joined Rivian to announce a historic $1.5 billion investment from the company to build its R2 model at its Normal facility and create more than 550 full-time jobs. Then, in 2025, Governor Pritzker and Rivian announced the construction of a new 1.2 million-square-foot supplier park across the highway from the manufacturing plant, a $120 million investment from Rivian, which enabled the company to create nearly 100 new direct jobs. ​ ​

“Rivian’s continued growth in Normal is a testament to what can happen when state, local, and private partners collaborate with a unified vision for the future,” said State Senator Dave Koehler (D-Peoria). “The expansion of the plant, the development of the supplier park, and infrastructure investments all culminate in job creation, safety improvements, and a stronger position for Illinois as a leader in advanced manufacturing and clean energy alternatives. It’s exciting to see these investments paying off for workers and everyone involved.”

“Our community is proud to house one of the leaders in green technology,” said State Rep. Sharon Chung (D-Bloomington). “It’s been great to see Rivian’s success here in Bloomington, creating new jobs on top of innovating sustainability. R2’s are assembled by our friends and neighbors, which is extremely rare. I look forward to aiding their innovation and ingenuity in any way I can.”

###