State jobless rate hits 7.3%
MORGAN PARK | 3,000 may line up for Target jobs in tough economic time
If you need a clue as to how bad the unemployment situation is in Illinois, consider 33-year-old Kevin Champagne. He was among roughly 1,000 people who showed up Thursday to apply for 240 part-time jobs at a Target store that will open in Morgan Park this fall. Some 3,000 people are expected to apply by the time Target finishes the three-day job fair Saturday at Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park.
As Champagne waited in the long line to fill out an application and be interviewed, the state disclosed the unemployment rate in Illinois surged to 7.3 percent in July, the highest level in nearly 15 years and up from 5.1 percent a year earlier. The rate exceeded the nation's 5.7 percent level, which is at a five-year high.
(Brian Jackson/Sun-Times)
The news didn't surprise Champagne, who previously worked in a manufacturing plant driving a forklift. He said he has been looking for a permanent full-time job for 2½ years with no success. To help support his wife and three children, he's been doing day labor work.
"Everything is going up -- gas, interest rates, and the job market is in a bind," he said.
He arrived at Apostolic at 8 a.m. -- two hours early -- and found the line extended several blocks to apply for jobs that pay hourly wages of $8.25 to $9.50.
"I'm hoping for a position that will be permanent, so I can get a steady check," he said.
The Illinois Employment Security Department said payroll jobs dropped by 9,700 between June and July. They were down 100 from July 2007.
Construction lost 10,000 jobs since July 2007, followed by the financial sector, which lost 6,000, and manufacturing, which lost 5,500.
Among sectors adding jobs were educational and health services, up 11,100; professional and business services, up 5,900, and trade, transportation and utilities, up 5,500.
The number of unemployed people looking for work has increased for three straight months, rising by 121,900 since April to 491,300, the highest level since June 1992, according to the state.
"With the number of unemployed individuals increasing by one third since April, the effects of national economic turmoil on the Illinois job market are painstakingly clear," said James Sledge, department director.
He used the data to call for a capital program to stimulate the state's economy and create jobs in the hardest-hit industries.
Valerie Brim, who stood in line at Apostolic on Thursday, said she has been out of work since February and has gone on roughly 20 interviews with no success. She previously worked as a security guard and is hoping to land a job as a cashier, security guard, stock clerk, "whatever is open," she said, indicating she's not too picky.
"It's been rough, it's been pretty tough. I'm hoping that I will be able to get something."