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Gov. Blagojevich recognizes Veterans Day
with the nation's first-ever Statewide Job Fair for Veterans
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Job and benefits fair held
simultaneously at seven locations throughout Illinois
[NOV. 11, 2006]
CHICAGO -- In recognition of Veterans Day, and
building on Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich's commitment to help the state's
veterans get the opportunities they have bravely earned, officials
from the Blagojevich administration on Thursday hosted the country's
first-ever Statewide Job Fair for Veterans. Employers, veterans'
benefits agencies and service organizations for veterans
participated in fairs conducted simultaneously at seven locations
throughout Illinois. The event was administered through the Illinois
Department of Employment Security.
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"Our veterans put themselves in harm's way to protect our freedom,"
Blagojevich said. "When they return home to Illinois, they should be
able to find jobs and get the benefits they've earned. That's what
today's statewide job fair was all about -- connecting veterans with
employers and services."
The seven simultaneous job fairs were at the following locations:
Chicago Metro
Richard J. Daley College
7500 S. Pulaski Road
Chicago, IL 60652
Contact: Luis Gonzalez 312-636-2461
Metro South Chicago
National Guard Armory
8669 West Cermak Road
North Riverside, IL 60546
Contact: Sylvia Stone 312-848-9591
South Suburban Community College
15800 S. State St.
South Holland, IL 60473
Contact: Gregory Haynes 708-955-5323
Northern
National Guard Armory
1301 Sunset Ridge Drive
Woodstock, IL 60098
Contact: Susie Geltner 312-520-4263
Northwest
Festival Building
2200 E. Washington St.
East Peoria, IL 61611
Contact: Sue Colloton 312-264-8800
Central
Camp Lincoln
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62702
Contact: Less Boucher 217-782-3846
Southern
Marion VFW Post 1301
Illinois Route 37 North
Marion, IL 62959
Contact: Edna Jeffries 618-214-0002
"Governor Blagojevich and I have been strongly committed to
helping the men and women who serve in our nation's armed forces
find jobs," said Illinois Department of Employment Security Director
Brenda A. Russell, who attended several of the day's events. "The
governor has been clear in his goal to create a comprehensive career
services program with dedicated staff and resources to ensure that
veterans get the services they need and deserve. With this event, we
brought awareness across Illinois about veterans employment
opportunities in the state as well as what employers can do for
veterans, deployed service members or those returning from active
duty."
Across Illinois, the Department of Employment Security helps
veterans find jobs, transition back into the civilian work force,
and provides resources for employers and veterans service
organizations to enhance the employment of veterans. The
department's resources include job search workshops, individual
career counseling sessions, veterans jobs fairs, outreach programs
for incarcerated and homeless veterans, employer visits for job
development opportunities, and Illinois Skills Match, an
Internet-based job match service that matches veterans first to job
openings that match their individual capabilities. Since 2003, the
number of employers working with the department and using Illinois
Skills Match has doubled. Currently, more than 16,000 employers are
working with the state through this service.
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 Each Department of Employment Security office in the state has a
staff of veterans representatives dedicated to helping individuals
find employment. Each representative offers one-on-one job
counseling with specific focus on translating skills to conform to
nonmilitary work. Rounding out the services, the representatives
regularly recruit companies and organizations on behalf of
individual vets in an effort to encourage more employers to recruit
Department of Employment Security clients.
Officials from the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs were
also available at the statewide job fair to answer questions about
Blagojevich's landmark health insurance program for veterans. More
information on the Veterans Care program is available by calling
1-877-4VETSRX (483-8779) or
visiting
www.illinoisveteranscare.com.
"The state of Illinois is out in the forefront when it comes to
helping its veterans get jobs after they return from active duty,"
said Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Roy L. Dolgos.
"This administration has been committed to this task since the
beginning."
Links to career service programming for veterans from the state
of Illinois:
[News release from the governor's
office]
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