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 "We are doing everything we can in Illinois to help make sure
that when our service members come home, they have access to quality
jobs and receive the benefits they've rightfully earned. I want to
encourage businesses to hire our veterans and not only benefit from
the quality of the employee they receive, but also the money they
will save on taxes," said Blagojevich.
During Hire a Vet Month the Illinois Department of Employment
Security will host the Statewide Veterans Job Fair, bringing
together employers, veterans' benefits-related agencies, and service
organizations for veterans. The Statewide Veterans Job Fair begins
at 9 a.m. on either Nov. 8 or 9 at the following locations:
Central Region
-
Nov. 8
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Richland Community College
One College Park
Decatur, IL 62521-8512
-
Nov. 8
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Illinois Employment and Training Center
407 N. Franklin St.
Danville, IL 61832
-
Nov. 8
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Illinois Veterans Home
Lippencott Hall
1701 North 12th
Quincy, IL 62301
-
Nov. 8
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Camp Lincoln National Guard Armory
1301 N. MacArthur Blvd.
Springfield, IL 62702
Chicago Metro Region
- Nov. 9
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Richard J. Daley College
7500 S. Pulaski
Chicago, IL 60652
Metro South Chicago Region
- Nov. 9
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Joliet National Guard Armory
2900 Jefferson St.
Joliet, IL 60435-5287
Northern Region
- Nov. 8
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
AMVETS Post 66
700 McHenry Road
Wheeling, IL 60090
Northwest Region
- Nov. 8
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
American Legion Post 979
4501 Airport Road
Bartonville, IL 61607-2196
Southern Region
-
Nov. 8
9 a.m.-2 p.m.
American Legion Post 365
1022 Vandalia Street (Route 159)
Collinsville, IL 62234
-
Nov. 9
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Marion VFW Post 1301
201 East Longstreet
Marion, IL 62959
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 In addition to these events, IDES is also conducting a Virtual
Veterans Job Fair that will be available in the central Illinois
cities of Quincy, Springfield, Decatur, Champaign and Danville on
Nov. 8. Employers will be participating in a broadcast for
job-seeking veterans at the IDES employment offices above, except
for Springfield and Decatur locations. The broadcasts can be viewed
at Camp Lincoln in Springfield and Richland Community College in
Decatur. The recorded broadcasts are to be archived, along with
responses to job-seekers' questions, at
www.illinoisworknet.com/vetconnect. The archived files will be
released later in November by Illinois workNet.
"During Hire a Vet Month and each month after, I want to urge all
employers to hire our veterans, and in turn, receive qualified and
dedicated employees," said Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs
Director L. Tammy Duckworth. "It isn't every job where the
description includes putting your life on the line, but that is what
so many of our veterans have done. They have served this country
bravely and honorably. When they return home, we owe it to them to
provide the best options, benefits and programs possible, and that
includes having access to quality jobs."
IDES provides access to an array of employment programs and
services to support both job seekers and businesses. IDES has a
staff of trained representatives, including representatives for the
disabled, dedicated to helping veterans find employment.
"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 IDES Director James P. Sledge. "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 these events, we hope
to bring 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."
Blagojevich is also reminding employers this month about a new
tax credit. Beginning in tax year 2007, Illinois employers can earn
tax credits for hiring veterans who have recently been on active
duty overseas. Employers can earn the new tax credit of 5 percent of
total wages paid, up to a maximum of $600 annually, for wages paid
to each veteran hired after Jan. 1, 2007. The veteran must work at
least 185 days during the tax year for the employer to qualify. The
credit is available for veterans who were members of the armed
forces, Reserves or the Illinois National Guard on active duty in
Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation
Iraqi Freedom. The tax credit can be claimed by employers on 2007
tax returns filed in 2008.
"As the new tax season quickly approaches, it is important that
employers know of the availability of this credit. Those companies
who have hired veterans this year can earn a credit of up to $600
for each new veteran hire annually," said Brian Hamer, director of
the Illinois Department of Revenue.
For more information about the tax credit, go to
www.tax.illinois.gov or call the Department of Revenue's toll-free
assistance line at 1-800-732-8866. For more information on the job
fairs for veterans, visit
www.ides.state.il.us/info/event/default.asp.
For more information on Illinois veterans programs and initiatives,
visit www.state.il.us/agency/dva or call 1-800-437-9824.
[Text from file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |
