Governor Quinn Calls for 100,000 Veterans to be Hired in Illinois by 2020

CHICAGO - July 12, 2012. Three days after signing the Hiring Veterans Tax Credit to help veterans find employment in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today called on employers throughout Illinois to hire 100,000 Veterans by 2020. The Governor was joined by a coalition of more than 60 companies, government agencies and Veterans’ groups for the 100,000 Jobs Mission hiring event at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s forum. The Hiring Veterans Tax Credit, which Governor Quinn called for in his 2012 State of the State address, is designed to help more Illinois Veterans find employment after returning from military service. The measure provides a significant additional tax credit of up to $5,000 for every unemployed Veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan an Illinois company hires, which helps businesses employ Veterans who have sacrificed so much in serving our state and our country.

“This job fair today is an opportunity for so many servicemembers who are ready and waiting to put their skills to work,” Governor Quinn said. “Our returning Veterans have sacrificed, served and completed their mission and they deserve every opportunity to find a good job.”

The 100,000 Jobs Mission hiring event is being held in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs (IDVA), JP Morgan Chase, Joining Forces, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), American Legion, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, Student Veterans of America, U.S. Department of Labor – VETS, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The fair uses an innovative pre-register, pre-match model that results in pre-scheduled interviews and, in some cases, on-the-spot job offers that range from entry-level to managerial positions. Veterans are sought-after employees for their service training, which includes respect for authority, embracing responsibility and success operating in a team-based environment. Servicemembers also have advanced training in technology, manufacturing, construction and logistics. Since the program's launch last year, the group has collectively hired more than 12,000 Veterans.

Some of the Illinois-based companies and organizations participating in today’s event include Abbott, Caterpillar, CDW, Cushman & Wakefield, Health Care Service Corp. (parent of Blue Cross Blue Shield), Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Kraft Foods, McDonald’s, Northern Trust, Schneider National, Sears, University of Chicago Medical Center, and Walgreens.

For more information about benefits for our Veterans, visit Veterans.Illinois.gov or call the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs at 217-782-6641 or 312-814-2460.