Bugle Newspapers
By Laura Katauskas
April 29, 2010

More than 1,200 job seekers took advantage of an opportunity to showcase their skills to employers of all kinds last week at a job fair hosted by U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL-13) at the Romeoville Recreation Center.

“More than ever, we need to stay focused on jobs,” said Biggert. “Unemployment in Illinois remains well over 11 percent, but there is no reason to wait for a national economic rebound while there are opportunities available today for hardworking individuals right here in the 13th district.”

According to the latest numbers collected in February from the Illinois Department of Employment Securities, the unemployment rate for Will County alone is 12.1 percent, and in Romeoville the rate is slightly higher at 12.3 percent. In DuPage County, unemployment is at 9.2 percent and the unemployment rate for Bolingbrook is 11.1 percent.

“I didn’t expect the amount of people in attendance, it was great because we were able to leave there with a good group of applicants,” said Toby Atkinson, Human Resources Manager of Cintas Corporation, located in Romeoville. “However, it was disheartening to see how many qualified and willing candidates there are out there looking for jobs due to the economy.”

The “Road to Employment Jobs Fair” tried to pair up individuals who came out to visit with more then 60 area employers spanning various industries from Best Buy and Bridgestone Firestone to Sara Lee and Edward Hospital.

Director of Admissions at Rasmussen College Chris Springer said the fair gave numerous job seekers the opportunity to be exposed to many of the area’s employers.

“From the moment the employers and the candidates walked through the door, they were greeted by Congresswoman Biggert and handed a detailed summary of positions that each company was seeking talent for,” said Springer.“As a representative of Rasmussen College, the number of Employer booths and job seekers packed two basketball courts, while hundreds of others took advantage of the resume and interview workshops, led by local employment experts from workNet DuPage and the Workforce Investment Board of Will County.

“So many of our neighbors and friends have impressive professional experience and impeccable credentials—it’s just a matter of finding an employer in need of new talent in this difficult economy,” said Biggert. “That’s what today’s event was about—connecting job seekers with some of the best employers right here in our community.”

Another opportunity to brush up on interview skills, resume building, and received help with a job search, The Mobile Learning Center will be located at the Romeoville Recreation Center Friday, April 30, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and again from 1 to 3 p.m.