Friends:
I am excited to be addressing you once again and to update you on what’s been happening at the Illinois International Port District (IIPD) this summer, thus far.
First, there is never a dull moment at the IIPD. With some of the occurrences that are happening locally, nationally and globally, we wanted to make sure that what we are doing is both in line with industry standards and clearly articulated for all of our stakeholders. That being written, we have updated our COVID-19 protocols and are reiterating our hazardous materials policy as well.
The IIPD is updating our existing COVID-19 policy requiring all individuals coming onto IIPD facilities, in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to adhere to the following protocols, based on the best practices of and for ports according to the American Association of Port Authorities.
The Illinois International Port District requires:
- All personnel and people seeking entrance to the Illinois International Port District for work, business, or any other reason to wear a CDC approved face covering (face mask) that must completely cover the mouth and nose to the individual; and
- All personnel and people seeking entrance to the Illinois International Port District’s Iroquois Landing and Lake Calumet Facilities to submit to a temperature scan.
Any individual not adhering to the above requirements will be denied entry to the Illinois International Port District. The IIPD continues to recommend the following for all our tenants:
- Actively encourage sick employees to stay home;
- Separate sick employees;
- Emphasize staying home when sick;
- Emphasize respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene by all employees;
- Perform routine environmental cleaning.
- Always maintain a safe environment by having operators to either stay in or near their vehicle while on the Port;
- Limit physical skin to skin touching; and
- Perform routine environmental cleaning after interaction with individuals passing to and through the Port.
These new protocols are to ensure everybody’s health. The IIPD will continue to monitor and follow the AAPA’s guidelines and will amend our protocols as directed.
On 4 August 2020, a large amount of ammonium nitrate stored at the port of the city of Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, accidentally exploded, causing at least 181 deaths, 6,000 injuries, billions of dollars in property damage, and leaving an estimated 300,000 people homeless. It appears that around 2,750 tons of the substance (equivalent to around 1.1 kilotons of TNT) had been stored in a warehouse without proper safety measures.
Currently, the IIPD has a clause in all leases which outlines our policy on hazardous substances at the port and that follow all City, State and Federal guidelines.
The safety of our employees, workers, stakeholders and surrounding communities is paramount and the reason why it is important to continually monitor and update our policies as required.
Finally, our work on the Butler Drive Rehabilitation Project continues. The rail has been replaced and asphalt has been laid and the engineering for the road work continues. We continue to look for emergency funds to tend to other structural needs at the IIPD.
In addition, the IIPD is actively marketing our remaining 80+ acres for development. This area is unprecedented in what it offers by way of two waterway systems, Class I rail access and interstate highway connectivity. If you or someone you know is interested in discussing opportunities at this parcel, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Oh, one last note, this month the IIPD welcomed our newest employee…Big Bird! (see below!)
Thank you,
Clayton K. Harris III |
