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Unemployment Rate In Illinois Highest Since 1992

Lessons From 3 People On What It's Like To Be Jobless In Chicago

CHICAGO (CBS) ― Economists say that there is a new sign that the country is in a recession. Every week for the last ten months, more than 400,000 new people filed for unemployment benefits. So what do you do if you lose your job? CBS 2's Rob Johnson reports with lessons from three people who know all too well what it's like to be jobless in Chicago.

The jobless rate in Illinois now stands at 7.3 percent. It hasn't been this high since 1992.

Gayle Levine, 60, worked in commercial real estate before being laid off in March of this year.

"I just went into a depression," Levine said. "I just could not believe this was happening."

Levine was just five years away from retirement. She's had to dip into her savings to pay additional healthcare costs. And for every $1,000 she takes out - she expects to have to work an extra year to recoup. That is, if she can find a job.

"It's going to take a year and it's very frightening," Levine said.

Lorraine Jamison, 44, climbed the corporate ladder at Motorola for 18 ½ years. Last December, her pink slip arrived most unexpectedly.

"I managed to survive all that time, I just didn't think it would be me," Jamison said.

With her unemployment money, $769 every two weeks, about to dry out, Jamison has had to make some tough choices. She has a mortgage, car loan and nearly $50,000 worth of credit card bills. Her Cobra health insurance now costs more than $400 a month.

"I stood at the mailbox; I just stood there and said, 'do I really need this insurance?'" Jamison said. "What is the potential of me really, really getting sick?"

Ken Jancy, who's 58 years old, worked in the travel industry with AAA, but has been out of work on and off since 2002.

"Sold my house, downsized that. Got rid of the mortgage. I have since gotten rid of my car," Jancy said.

Jancy no longer can afford health insurance and struggles to scrape by. He clips coupons. He turns off the air conditioner and sets the thermostat at 62 degrees in the winter. He, like the others, has been amazed at how impersonal the job application process has become. It's mostly online. Applicants must have computers and cell phones. Even temporary positions are coveted.

"One position, they got 450 resumes - at a temp agency," Jancy said.

And knowing that so many other who attend monthly jobhunters meetings will travel on the same rocky road, they offer some practical, pragmatic advice. First of all, never burn bridges, you need all the contacts you can get.

"I believe in networking," Levine said. "I go to at least eight networking functions a month."

"You keep your resume on the different job sites current," Jancy said.

And never think it can't happen to you.

"I think everybody should get their financial house in order and plan for that rainy day," Jamison said.

A bit of good news - both Jamison and Jancy just found new temporary part-time work.

If you are looking for a job, the state employment security website offers a listing of job fairs and free workshops to help you. For more info, visit www.ides.state.il.us/program/employer.asp

And if you are interested in attending jobhunters meetings, visit http://jobhunters.meetup.com/133/

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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