If you are looking for an Illinois job, or currently have one, you should know the state’s minimum wage recently increased.

At the beginning of this month, the State of Illinois’ minimum wage increased to $7.75 per hour. The extra money is expected to help more than 650,000 workers cope with the rising cost of living and pay for basic necessities.

In December 2006, according to a press release from the State of Illinois, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich raised the state’s minimum wage to $7.50, and set a plan in motion to add an additional 25 cents to the minimum wage for the next three years, ending at $8.25 in July 2010.

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Those interested in the education industry will find many opportunities when it comes to Illinois teaching jobs.

According to a report by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, employment in education and training in Illinois is expected to grow faster than the statewide average for all occupations through 2014.

The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics notes the state’s education and health services industry employed 791,300 people in June 2008, an increase of 1.5 percent over the previous year.

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Those seeking Illinois healthcare jobs should be faced with many open positions in the coming years.

Occupations involved with the health services industry include:

• registered nurses 4,024 annual openings at a median salary of $52,394
• nursing aides, orderlies and attendants with 1,686 annual openings at a median salary of $20,581
• licensed practical nurses with 749 annual openings at a median salary of $35,677

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Any job seeker aware of the current state of the economy may be wondering if a marketing, sales or service job is the way to go. Those looking for an Illinois sales job may take comfort in the fact that while the industry is expected to grow at a minimal rate, the projected high turnover rate will allow for many job openings in the near future.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, employment in the marketing, sales and service industries are expected to grow at a slower rate than the statewide average through 2014.

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