Lawmakers Discuss Unemployment, Job Creation

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State legislators give opening remarks during a public hearing on unemployment and job creation in downtown Chicago on July 26. The hearing was an effort to bridge the gap between state agencies, lawmakers and the communities they serve. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)
State legislators give opening remarks during a public hearing on unemployment and job creation in downtown Chicago on July 26. The hearing was an effort to bridge the gap between state agencies, lawmakers and the communities they serve. (Photo by Thelma Sardin)

by Thelma Sardin

A group of lawmakers, state agencies, community residents and stakeholders filled the Assembly Hall Auditorium of the James R. Thompson Center on July 26 to discuss unemployment and job creation in Illinois.

A host of state, local and city government officials attended and/or participated in the public hearing including: Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-8), Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-3), and Rep. Mary E. Flowers (D-31), Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer and Alderman Jason Ervin (28).

Many of the legislators present are members of the Illinois House Committee on Small Business Empowerment & Workforce Development (SBEWD). The purpose of last Tuesdays gathering was to bridge the gap between state agencies, legislators and the communities they serve.

Additionally, the hearing aimed to join public sector and private businesses with politicians and constituents to discover solutions in reducing Illinois unemployment rate.

Figures released on July 21 by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) report the states unemployment rate for June was at 9.2 percent.

The states unemployment rate has been equal to or below the U.S. rate for nine consecutive months and Illinois has reported declines in 15 of the past 17 months.

Illinois has added more than 10,000 manufacturing jobs and nearly 9,000 jobs in the construction sector over this time last year, including strong growth over the past month, IDES Director Jay Rowell said. While uneven movements - as we are seeing across the nation - are an expected part of an economic recovery, Illinois is building on the steady progress that has been made.

Despite the states reported gains in manufacturing and constructions jobs; people are having a harrowing time finding work. Salient circumstances contribute to individuals having trouble accessing employment. The possession of a criminal record is one of the leading problems many encounter. Commissioner Gainer believes more should be done to help those previously incarcerated.

There are laws that prevent the hiring of ex-offenders.but when people come out of prison and have nowhere to work that actually does not make our communities safer. While 30,000 people leave Illinois prisons and 15,000 come back to Chicago, we need to step up andtake a leadership role. The city has taken a leadership role where they do not prevent certain ex-offenders from certain roles but the state and the county need to join that leadership [role], said Commissioner Gainer.

The SBEWD chairman, Rep. Ford hopes the hearing sent a clear message to his federal congressional counterparts.

As we continue the work to combat the ongoing economic crisis, we must continue to look for opportunities to create jobs, Rep. Ford said in a released statement. I hope this rally and hearing on unemployment and job creation will send a message to Washington that Illinois is serious about creating jobs and going back to work.

Sen. Hunter says she is overall concerned about the lack of jobs in Illinois and looks forward to working with state agencies and businesses.

I am very concerned about the high rate of unemployment not only among our youth but for people in general. I am here to listen and look forward to partnering with all of you all to improve the employment situation in the state of Illinois, said Sen. Hunter.

The hearing began the dialogue to seek resolutions in stimulating job creation and reducing unemployment in Illinois. Rep. Ford urges constituents to visit www.ilga.gov and contact legislators to continue the discussion.

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