Granite City, Illinois is a proud blue-collar steel town. Just 10 miles east of St. Louis, the town’s steel history dates back to the 19th century. The steel mill began operations in 1895 under the name Granite City Steel, and has served as the heartbeat of the entire city for over a century. When U.S. Steel acquired the plant in 1927, it cemented itself in America’s industrial history.
But, in recent years, the story has been grim. Demand fluctuated. Uncertainty reigned. The once-mighty plant sputtered. In 2018, hope filled the town when President Donald Trump and U.S. Steel announced the reopening of the blast furnaces, bringing jobs back and reigniting the flame of Granite City’s proud heritage.
Unfortunately, the hope was short-lived.
In late 2023, U.S. Steel was acquired by Japanese company Nippon Steel. After years of political drama, regulation, and a block from the Biden Administration in January 2025, the steel industry in the United States was in jeopardy, and the future of Granite City Works was unknown. When the second Trump Administration took office, they set their sights on reversing the Biden-Era blocking of the Nippon-U.S. Steel deal. Negotiations eventually led to a deal, and the acquisition was finalized. As part of the acquisition, the company essentially gave veto power to President Trump’s administration on certain corporate moves - a so-called “golden share.”
Then, a bombshell: slab deliveries would stop in October 2025, and 800 steelworkers would have no work to do by November.
As the clock ticked toward closure, Rep. Elik and Sen. Harriss didn’t back down. They penned a letter to President Trump, contacted Administration officials, and urged them to include Granite City Works in Nippon Steel’s investment strategy. They rallied support, made noise, and refused to let Granite City’s steel legacy be buried quietly. Unwilling to sit idly by while the largest employer in Granite City was set to cease operations, the Metro East duo, alongside advocates across the region, learned their efforts were not in vain.
Two weeks after the decision was made to cease slab deliveries, the decision was reversed. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and the Trump Administration used their power under the authority of the “golden share” to block Nippon Steel’s decision to halt work at the Granite City Works plant.
In a statement, Representative Elik and Senator Harriss expressed their gratitude for the Trump Administration's intervention and to local advocates who tirelessly worked toward a solution.
“We are elated with U.S. Steel’s decision to continue Granite City Works’ steel slab processing,” said Rep. Elik and Sen. Harriss. “This is a win. Thank you to the Trump Administration and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick for hearing our voices. Our outreach and advocacy will continue. We will not give up on a long-term solution to keep these jobs in Granite City. The fight continues.”
Although the decision is a major victory for Granite City, the extension is only guaranteed through 2027.
“Our work isn’t done,” said Rep. Elik and Sen. Harriss. “We remain focused on securing long-term protections for GCW and ensuring it remains a pillar of American manufacturing for years to come. This took the efforts of so many behind the scenes, and people came together and worked to find a solution to help the community.”
Rep. Elik, who co-chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Illinois Manufacturer’s Caucus, says she’ll do everything she can to keep fighting for Granite City Works.
“We’re thrilled that there’s been a short-term solution, but we need a long-term solution,” said Rep. Elik. “I’ve invited Secretary Lutnick to Granite City to see firsthand what this plant means to families, and that invitation still stands.”
At a time when many companies are leaving Illinois, Rep. Elik and Sen. Harriss were proud to play a role in keeping one here. They will continue to work with local, state, and federal officials, employees, and union officials to find a long-term solution.