What should have been a promising event for attendees of a job fair in Peoria was overshadowed by the grim reality facing Illinois.
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois is hosting a two-day job readiness event that offers free resume help, haircuts, workshops and veteran’s assistance.
Illinois Congresswoman Cheri Bustos made an appearance at the fair to encourage those struggling to find work.
Like many press conferences this past year, the conversation shifted to the budget debacle.
The state doesn’t have a budget plan for next year -- nor the current year that ends next month.
Bustos says as a result, she’s seen businesses and workers leave the state for opportunities elsewhere.
“How are we going to attract business here, how are we going to grow our population here, unless we have something that we can say we have something we’re really proud of. And right now, how can we say we’re proud when the governor and the legislature can’t get together and solve this problem?,” Bustos said.
Bustos says it’s urgent for the state to come up with a budget plan or else Illinois’ economy will continue to spiral downward.
About 20 job fair attendees who gathered alongside Bustos nodded solemnly in agreement.
Amidst the gloomy chatter, one job seeker, Mattica Brock, was surprised to find several companies in the area are looking for workers. Brock submitted job applications for a variety of jobs, including fork lift operator and house cleaner.
Brock is a single mom with five kids. Now that her kids are grown, Brock is ready to work outside the home again. But she says the biggest hurdle is potential employers may see the 10-year gap on her resume as a weakness.
“But I’m looking beyond that, and I’m trying to stay positive to really get out to really get out here in the work field and try to work hard because you can’t get anywhere in life if you don’t work hard,” Brock said.
Brock says she’s returning to the Goodwill offices to interview for several positions on Friday.