Nov 26, 2009 10:00 pm US/Central
Chicagoans Thankful Despite Hard Times
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
-
-
Despite the bad economy and the gloomy weather, these three Chicagoans say they're thankful this Thanksgiving, because they're healthy and employed.
CBS
A funny thing happens this time of year. The weather's lousy, the economy is still rough, jobless rates are up, and President Barack Obama's approval ratings are dropping.
You'd think people would be pretty down this Thanksgiving, But CBS 2 Chief Correspondent Jay Levine went out talking to Chicagoans and found out people are still pretty thankful.
There's a common theme among Chicagoans this holiday season. Whether you ask what they're thankful for, or what they're concerned about, their answers are similar.
Kerry Carr and Gina Guzman both said they're thankful for their families and their jobs.
Mike Brookbank of Homewood said, "We have jobs. … I lost mine last January, so I'm thankful that I found a new one and back at it."
"It kind of hangs over you a little bit, Brookbank said. "You still think about it in back of your mind. As much as you focus on family and holidays and good times, you still worry in the back of your mind a little bit. I do."
Carrie Rasmason said, "I'm a little concerned for all the people who aren't gonna get presents this year. So I'm gonna try and help out and you know donate as much as we can and try and get gifts for the kids that won't get gifts."
For some, trying to make things better for others is a fulltime job.
Debra Walker is a judge who handles paternity cases.
"I see a lot of families in distress and that doesn't subside during the holidays. In fact, if anything, it increases and I worry about those families, Walker said. "Sometimes I see glimmers of hope when litigants leave courtroom after I've talk to them a little bit about putting their children first, they actually can, I think, make promises to each other that they will put their children first."
It's a real cross section of people who've come from Chicago's neighborhoods and suburbs alike, to admire our communal holiday tree.
Kevin Blanchard, one of the Matador dancers for the Chicago Bulls, said, "I wanna see everybody happy, I wanna see everybody smiling. I know we're going a rough patch but we're gonna make it, we're gonna come out if everybody just keep their heads up."
Chicagoan Jane Bishop-Lillegard said, "We have to just go with the flow. … I'm a realtor so I'm really trying to go with the flow. … Nothing good lasts forever and nothing bad does either."
The bottom line? We're not only concerned about our own futures, but about others too. That's the real spirit of Chicago and you see it in good times and bad.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
The Tattooed Ladies of Hollywood
Click to enlarge
CTA Pays Private Firm Thousands For Contract Jobs 2 mins ago
Snow Continues To Clobber Chicago Tuesday Night 28 mins ago 
Stumble It!
Reporting
Comments