Statewide Veteran Job Fairs come to Illinois

Job effort to promote hiring, tax incentives, state economy

[October 16, 2012]  SPRINGFIELD -- One of the largest efforts to find employment for veterans kicks off Thursday as the first Statewide Veteran Job Fair of 2012 comes to communities across Illinois. The veteran-specific effort is a key part of Gov. Pat Quinn's economic priorities to help veterans compete for newly created private sector jobs.

"We respect our military families, who have sacrificed so much. And we must continue to help our small business owners, who are leading our economic recovery," Gov. Pat Quinn said. "Bringing these groups together is a win-win-win. We help a veteran find a job. We help a business owner find a key employee. And, together, we strengthen job creation and economic growth in Illinois."

Illinois created the Statewide Veteran Job Fair in 2005 to recognize the value that veterans bring to Illinois' workforce. Success and attendance has grown each year. Invited businesses include those whose positions demand the skills military veterans hone in the service. Individuals who attend should bring resumes and be ready for brief interviews. As the state's workforce leader, the Illinois Department of Employment Security manages the statewide Veteran Job Fair effort and coordinates with local workforce partners.

"We know jobs are available. More than 120,000 positions in Illinoisjoblink.com and 175,000 in the help-wanted online index demonstrates our business leaders are ready to hire," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "Our economy is moving forward slowly because our business leaders cannot find the right workers with the right skills. Our Statewide Veteran Job Fairs are the year's most intensive effort to bridge that gap."

Veterans make loyal employees because they respect authority, embrace responsibility and thrive in a team environment. They emphasize group goals over individual accolades. They understand technology, have the ability to learn and already have experience in such fields as manufacturing, construction and logistics.

November is Hire a Veteran Month. Veterans Day is Nov. 11.

Earlier this year, Gov. Quinn increased the state income tax credit to up to $5,000 for each qualified veteran who is hired. Additionally, employers might qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $4,800 through the work opportunity tax credit.

Prior to the fairs, veterans and employers should visit Illinoisjoblink.com, the revamped IDES help-wanted website. This no-cost, online career resource allows individuals to create multiple resumes that emphasize different talents and allows businesses to search for specific skills. The keyword-matching technology increases the likelihood of a successful new hire.

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2012 Statewide Veteran Job Fairs across Illinois

Oct. 18

• John A. Logan Community College
  700 Logan College Road
  Carterville, IL 62918
  9 a.m.–noon

Nov. 7

• Suburban Advocacy for Veterans Employment
  A "Hiring Our Heroes" event with the
  U.S. Chamber of Commerce
  Tellabs Center
  1415 W. Diehl Road
  Naperville, IL 60653
  9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nov. 8

• Chicago Gaelic Park
  6119 147th St.
  Oak Forest, IL 60452
  10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• Bartonville National Guard Armory
  3101 Airport Road
  Bartonville, IL 61607
  9 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Southwestern Illinois College
  2500 Carlyle Ave.
  Belleville, IL 62221
  8:30 a.m.-noon

• Effingham National Guard Armory
  1206 W. Temple Ave.
  Effingham, IL 62401
  9 a.m.-noon

Nov. 9

• Champaign National Guard Armory
  109 E. Park St.
  Champaign, IL 61820
  10 a.m.-2 p.m.

• Wilbur Wright College
  4300 N. Narragansett Ave.
  Chicago, IL 60634
  9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Nov. 15

• Rolland Lewis Community Building
  800 S. 27th St.
  Mount Vernon, IL 62864
  9 a.m.-noon

[Text from Illinois Department of Employment Security file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]