In February, I spoke with a Navistar employee who indicated that the company had moved past difficulties in convincing local residents, and a school for children with autism, that relocating its headquarters to Lisle, Ill., was a good idea. That assertion now appears it was right on.
Over the past week, officials at the Giant Steps Illinois Autism Training Center in Lisle reversed their previous stance that the Navistar move from its current Warrensburg location could disrupt the students, who are extremely sensitive to loud noises as are most children with autism. At issue was a diesel engine testing center, but Bridget O’Connor, the school’s executive director, said Navistar had made assurances that the center no longer presents a concern to the children.
“I’m thrilled to be able to say we are very comfortable with the changes that Navistar has made,”she said.
Joining Giants Steps in supporting the move are Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Coalition of Aurora and Naperville, and a collection of leaders from Naperville area police, firefighters and teachers unions. And then, a few days later, the Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce voiced its support of the move in a letter to the DuPage County Board and the DuPage County Forest Preserve commissioners.
Still, there are segments of the public still opposed to the deal.
