Jobless rate soars 42% in Fox Valley
• In June, 83,700 unemployed: Local workers sidelined as the economy keeps slipping
July 25, 2008
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By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
Peggy Shots had it all planned out.
In a few years, the 57-year-old from Aurora would retire, and in just one more year, she'd reach 30 years with Farmers Insurance, an anniversary that would bring her a hefty bonus.
But on June 30, she lost her job. The company decided back in January to outsource Shots' insurance underwriting position and consolidate all duties into three offices across the country.
She could've relocated to Kansas or Texas with many of her colleagues, but that was never part of Shots' original plan.
"I've had 57 years in this town, and I'm not leaving," she said.
So for the last six months, she has tried to find work. On Thursday, she finally brought herself into the Illinois Department of Employment Security's resource center in North Aurora, where she inquired about unemployment benefits.
Shots hopes she can still enjoy her retirement the way she always wanted.
"I'm just trying to supplement myself a little bit with unemployment benefits as I look for a part-time job," she said, sitting alongside many others filing for benefits in the busy office.
According to the latest employment data from the state released Thursday, unemployment has hit hard in every major metropolitan area throughout Illinois.
In the Fox Valley alone, about 83,700 people throughout Kane, Kendall, DuPage and Will counties were unemployed during the month of June. At this time last year, about 58,580 were unemployed, which translates to a 42 percent increase in the number of unemployed.
Among counties in the Fox Valley, Kendall County endured the largest spike. The jobless rate jumped from 5.0 in June 2007 to 7.6 in June 2008, a 52 percent increase.
Unemployment rates for other counties also are on the rise. Comparing June 2007 to June 2008, Kane County's jobless rate jumped 39.2; DuPage County, 39.5 percent; and Will County, 41.2 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
It's a trend hitting every area of the state, said Norman Kelewitz, an employment data analyst with IDES.
"A lot of what's going on in the local area has to be going on with problems nationally. In the overall Chicago metro area, there have been some job losses in construction, manufacturing and financial activities," he said.
IDES Director James P. Sledge said in a press release that with the downturn in the economy and decreased consumer confidence, a comprehensive capital plan for Illinois is imperative now more than ever.
"While some areas have experienced moderate job growth, it has not been enough to absorb the number of jobs being lost," he said.
July 25, 2008
Recommend
By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
Peggy Shots had it all planned out.
In a few years, the 57-year-old from Aurora would retire, and in just one more year, she'd reach 30 years with Farmers Insurance, an anniversary that would bring her a hefty bonus.
But on June 30, she lost her job. The company decided back in January to outsource Shots' insurance underwriting position and consolidate all duties into three offices across the country.
She could've relocated to Kansas or Texas with many of her colleagues, but that was never part of Shots' original plan.
"I've had 57 years in this town, and I'm not leaving," she said.
So for the last six months, she has tried to find work. On Thursday, she finally brought herself into the Illinois Department of Employment Security's resource center in North Aurora, where she inquired about unemployment benefits.
Shots hopes she can still enjoy her retirement the way she always wanted.
"I'm just trying to supplement myself a little bit with unemployment benefits as I look for a part-time job," she said, sitting alongside many others filing for benefits in the busy office.
According to the latest employment data from the state released Thursday, unemployment has hit hard in every major metropolitan area throughout Illinois.
In the Fox Valley alone, about 83,700 people throughout Kane, Kendall, DuPage and Will counties were unemployed during the month of June. At this time last year, about 58,580 were unemployed, which translates to a 42 percent increase in the number of unemployed.
Among counties in the Fox Valley, Kendall County endured the largest spike. The jobless rate jumped from 5.0 in June 2007 to 7.6 in June 2008, a 52 percent increase.
Unemployment rates for other counties also are on the rise. Comparing June 2007 to June 2008, Kane County's jobless rate jumped 39.2; DuPage County, 39.5 percent; and Will County, 41.2 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
It's a trend hitting every area of the state, said Norman Kelewitz, an employment data analyst with IDES.
"A lot of what's going on in the local area has to be going on with problems nationally. In the overall Chicago metro area, there have been some job losses in construction, manufacturing and financial activities," he said.
IDES Director James P. Sledge said in a press release that with the downturn in the economy and decreased consumer confidence, a comprehensive capital plan for Illinois is imperative now more than ever.
"While some areas have experienced moderate job growth, it has not been enough to absorb the number of jobs being lost," he said.
Labels: Chicago, Fox Valley, Illinois, unemployment
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