Plans to move Peoria's mail sorting to the Chicago suburbs are on hold through at least Jan. 1 of next year.
That's according to a letter Postmaster General Louis DeJoy wrote to Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs chairman Gary Peters on May 9. He said implementation of any moves related to mail processing facility reviews won't happen in 2024.
The USPS decided to move ahead with converting the Peoria Processing and Distribution Center on State Street into a Local Processing Center last month. That would see the Peoria facility on tap to get several million dollars worth of upgrades, but would also see mail out of the Peoria region sent to Bedford Park for sorting before going to its destination.
The Postal Service says consolidating mail processing operations around the country will save money and won't impact delivery times or the number of career jobs, but members of Congress and postal worker unions remain skeptical.
In a joint statement, Congressmen Darin LaHood and Eric Sorensen say they're pleased by the delay, but will continue doing what's needed to keep jobs downstate and ensure smooth mail service in Peoria and central Illinois.
