Several people throughout the country have less than a high school education, making it even harder for them to get jobs. Many employers in Illinois also are suffering because of this.

The number of adults in Illinois with less than a ninth-grade education is continuing to grow and in turn costing the state billions of dollars, according to the Illinois Community College Board.

“The number of adults with less than a ninth-grade education has increased by 7 percent since 2004,” Guy Alongi, chairman of the Illinois Community College Board, said in a press release, citing figures from the 2008 U.S. Census. “This is an incredible jump, and a tremendous expense to the Illinois taxpayers.”

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The current economic recession is continuing to take a toll in the State of Illinois. During March, the Illinois unemployment rate increased again.

The state saw its unemployment rate jump from 8.6 percent to 9.1 percent during March, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. Illinois had a total non-farm employment of 5,744,000 workers during March, down from 5,783,600 workers during February and a 3.9 percent decrease from last year.

Once again, the construction industry took the biggest hit. The industry employed 233,200 workers during March, down from 235,400 workers during February and an 11.4 percent decrease from last year.

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The approval of several new projects under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act would help create and maintain many Illinois environmental jobs. Click here to view environmental job listings.

Doug Scott, Illinois Environmental Protection Agency director recently announced the draft Intended Use Plans for federal stimulus funds have been submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The plans also are available on the agency’s Web site for public review and comment. Public comments will be accepted through April 24.

The list includes state funding of eligible entities that have applied to the IEPA seeking financial assistance to fund waste water and drinking projects. The IUPs serve as planning documents for the agency and explain the activities anticipated under the funding.

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A new bill will help create Illinois construction jobs.

Gov. Pat Quinn recently signed House Bill 289, which will help jumpstart Illinois‘ economy and create thousands of jobs through road construction projects.

“Illinois has suffered from 10 years without a capital plan,” Quinn said in a press release. “In just 10 weeks we were able to put a plan together that will get people working again this construction season. The Jump Start Capital Plan is going to create jobs, strengthen our economy and address our state’s overdue road construction needs.”

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