Governor Quinn Announces More Than 12,800 Jobs Created Through ‘Put Illinois to Work'

CHICAGO – June 16, 2010. Governor Pat Quinn today announced that in less than two months more than 12,800 workers have been hired through the Put Illinois to Work employment program. Since the program’s launch in late April, 3,000 employers have signed up to participate.

“We have created jobs for more than 12,800 people who did not have jobs before Put Illinois to Work,” said Governor Quinn. “I applaud the hundreds of Illinois employers that have signed on to this program to help individuals across the state obtain the skills necessary to build the foundation for a long, productive career.”

Governor Quinn was joined by officials from Rockford Products, a participating employer in the PIW program, which was founded in 1929 in Rockford. A manufacturing company specializing in metal working, heat treating and machines, Rockford Products currently employs two Put Illinois to Work workers and is expected to bring on additional employees through the program.

On Wednesday, Governor Quinn joined with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to announce that Put Illinois to Work had surpassed 10,000 Illinois workers employed.

Through Put Illinois to Work, eligible Illinois residents are placed in subsidized employment positions with participating worksites for up to six months, learning valuable skills and supporting their families. The program will help stimulate Illinois’ ailing economy and develop a healthy workforce by providing meaningful work experience for participants. Put Illinois to Work is expected to create more than 15,000 jobs statewide.

Private, public and non-profit businesses are encouraged to sign on with Put Illinois to Work. Eligible participants are matched to subsidized employment opportunities with these worksites. The hope is that when the program concludes, many employers will permanently hire the workers they have trained.

Put Illinois to Work is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Human Services and Heartland Human Care Services. Funding is provided through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund, which was created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Eligible worksites and participants must meet program criteria and agree to adhere to specific program requirements. Participants must be age 18-21, or 18 and older and the parent (custodial or non-custodial) of a minor child. All participants must have a household income below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level ($2,428 per month for a family of two) and be legally authorized to work.

For eligibility criteria and additional information on Put Illinois to Work, visit www.PutIllinoistoWork.Illinois.gov.