Despite National and Local Unemployment Problems, Chicago Heights Keeps Hopes High

Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez says he thinks the local job market is on the rebound, despite the U.S. Department of Labor's report Friday that the national unemployment rate rose from 9 percent in April to 9.1 percent in May.

In April, Chicago Heights again found itself winning the unwanted distinction of highest unemployment rate in the Southland—13.7 percent, as compared to the 9 percent rate seen within Cook County at large, according to the state's April unemployment report.

However, the mayor says winning legislative concessions and partnering with other neighboring cities is the key to better days for embattled Chicago Heights.

"Even though 13.7 percent unemployment sounds brutal, in January 2010, we were at 19.9," Gonzalez said. "It's going in the right direction, but it's still very hard in the south suburbs." 

Familiar story

Chicago Heights has experienced the classic story of a Midwestern manufacturing city left stranded when the demand went bust and jobs moved overseas, Gonzalez said.

"You can just drive through our town and see we have a lot of empty buildings on the State Street corridor," he said.

However, the mayor said that space could be converted to light manufacturing or storage facilities. Getting a boost from legislative initiatives is crucial to revitalizing the area, he says.

"We would like to see more state economic incentives for companies who relocate to the south suburbs," Gonzalez said. "We need to see if there's any EPA remediation that needs to be done to use those sites."

He says projects such as the proposed Abraham Lincoln Airport in nearby Peotone or a local gambling casino would lift the area's economic fortunes.

While some fear casino gambling could bring social problems along with opportunity, "right now, the good outweighs the bad," Gonzalez said. "I don't think it will bring more problems."

He said if big business gives Chicago Heights a chance, they will not be disappointed.

"Everybody wants the best quality of life, they just face bad times because of the economy, because of problems made in Washington D.C., in Springfield," Gonzalez said. "We'd love it if companies would come to Chicago Heights, or at least the south suburbs."

Bridging a technological divide

At the , 25 W. 15th St., about 10 clients a day seek out the reference department for personal help, said reference librarian Kyle Craig. The mood can be tense.

"There's probably a little bit of worry or anxiety," said Craig. "A lot of people here have been looking (for jobs) a long time."

While Prairie State Community College offers GED classes and other training programs, Craig said many job-seekers come to use the library as a digital cafe.

"People saw a job posted online, and they must submit their application online, so they come here to use the computer," Craig said.

Although many companies prefer the Internet for job listings, it puts people too poor to own a personal computer at a disadvantage, Craig said.

"It makes it difficult for the high percentage of people here who don't have Internet access," he said, noting that poverty and lack of technical training create barriers to employment. "We (librarians) try and help people one-on-one, to set up an email or start their resume."