Legislator Seeks Solutions for Unemployment

citizen |

State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) is developing a commission to analyze unemployment issues among young adults and older job seekers.
State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) is developing a commission to analyze unemployment issues among young adults and older job seekers.

by Thelma Sardin

Recently, State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (D-Chicago) introduced legislation to analyze unemployment trends among young and older adults. He wants the state to concentrate on ways to assist help young adults and older job seekers find employment.

With a tight job market, employers seem to be avoiding hiring both young people and older jobseekers, which sets Illinois and our country up for serious long-term repercussions, Ford stated in a press release. When Illinoisans who are at the beginning and near the end of their working lives cant earn money, our society as a whole will have to pick up the tab through higher social service spending.

Ford noted that the digital divide is a main reason why older adults cannot find work. Technology is part of the problem that older people are having finding employment. Until we meet those digital divides I think we are gonna have a problem, he told the Citizen.

The legislator recently filed House Bills 3777 and 3778 to address the issue of unemployment for young and older people.

HB 3777 creates a commission to increase for the aging community (defined as those aged 50 and older). HB 3778 does the same for young adults (defined as those aged 18-25). Each commission will be required to develop plans to increase state hiring of these populations, especially in technical, supervisory and managerial roles. The commissions will be required to report annually to the General Assembly on their progress, according to the release.

Ford said that it is not apparent why young people have a harder time gaining employment and that is what the commission plans to study.

The lawmaker said the commissions are important for several reasons.

We really need to know reasons why these groups are hard to employ. What are the challenges that theyre facing, so that we can meet them at the government level. He added, We need to hear from those having a difficult time gaining employment otherwise we will never know how to service their needs.

Both pieces of legislation are in the hearing phase. We are going to have hearings on the jobs bill in July. Were gonna hear from the youth, were gonna hear from the seniors, were gonna hear from individuals who are having a difficult time gaining employment.

The state representative added that the commission will find out the challenges facing people when they are looking for employment.

According to the release, Rep. Ford is in the process of scheduling hearings in Chicago on his employment legislation to give members of the public a chance to offer their thoughts and concerns. For more information or to participate in the hearings, call Ford's constituent service office at (773) 378-5902.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

STARR Community Services International, Inc.