Illinois Struggles With Rising Unemployment
January 22, 2010 by Kevin Lee
Filed under Broadcasts, State News
By Kevin Lee (217)528-9604
SPRINGFIELD – Finding a job in Illinois just got a bit harder.
The state’s unemployment rate jumped again to 11-point-1 percent for December.
That’s the highest rate Illinois has seen since 1983.
Greg Rivara with the Illinois Department of Employment Security says the national recession is a major factor in the state’s high unemployment.
Businesses and communities are suffering as a result of the national downturn.
Moline Mayor Don Welvaert says his city’s employees have had to make sacrifices in order to avoid layoffs.
Most Moline workers will take three to four unpaid furlough days this year. They have also agreed to wait until next summer to see a pay raise.
Rivara says those seeking work should seek more training and education to boost their job prospects.
State Representative Don Moffitt says creating and keeping jobs should be the state’s highest priority.
The Galesburg-area Republican says high unemployment is contributing directly to the state’s massive budget problem.
Local jobless numbers are due from the state Department of Employment Security next week.
