Just like most of America, many veterans are struggling to find a job during the current economic slowdown. A series of Chicago career fairs recently helped many veterans with this dilemma.

Governor Rod R. Blagojevich has announced that November is “Hire a Veteran Month.” As part of this, the Illinois Department of Employment Security recently hosted a series of job fairs throughout the state to help veterans find work. According to a press release, the state also is reminding employers of a new state income tax credit of up to $600 for every qualified veteran they hire.

“Illinois employers can earn tax credits for the veterans they have hired since January 1, 2007 who have recently been on active duty overseas,” the press release notes. “Employers can earn the Veteran’s Tax Credit of 5 percent of total wages paid, up to a maximum of $600 annually, for wages paid to each veteran hired after January 1, 2007.

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As part of a plan to help the city save money, more workers at local airports will be losing their Chicago customer service jobs.

The City of Chicago recently announced its plans to cut up to 29 airport customer service positions, according to an article by The Chicago Tribune. In general, these employees translate and answer questions for travelers at Chicago’s O’Hare and Midway airports. In an attempt to cut costs, the city plans to decrease the Aviation Department’s external communications staff from 41 employees to only 10, a move that should save about $2 million.

The layoffs are part of a plan to cut about 1,000 jobs and close the $469 million budget shortfall the city is currently facing. However, the city plans to keep the Aviation Department’s marketing director, who makes $114,585 per year, the deputy commissioner, who earns $114,084 per year, and the customer services manager, who makes $94,848 per year. The greeters earn between $38,000 and $58,000 per year. While these positions are being cut, some positions with the airport are up for grabs.

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The healthcare industry is one of the few that are continuing to boom during current economic troubles. Because of this, those with a Chicago healthcare job may find their career recession-proof.

Of the 50 fastest-growing occupations in Illinois, 17 are in the medical field. The top healthcare jobs that are growing include those for pharmacists, medical assistants, dental hygienists and dental assistants. According to an article by The Herald News, medical assistant positions alone are expected to grow by 36 percent, or 13,385 jobs, by 2014. New technology is contributing to the growth of untypical healthcare jobs, such as medical records technologists and pre-natal ultrasound readers.

Another career looked at as being recession-proof includes technology. Of the 50 fastest-growing occupations in the state, six are in the information technology industry. The fastest-growing jobs in IT include network systems and data communications, computer software engineering and applications and computer software engineering and systems. Network systems and data communications specialists are expected to grow by 42 percent, or 12,738 jobs, by 2014.

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A popular wireless communications company will soon create many Chicago retail jobs.

Cricket Communications, Inc., a wireless service, has announced it’s plans to enter the Chicago area market in 2009. This move will add about 2,150 jobs to the local economy, including 350 jobs with Cricket and 1,800 jobs through its dealer partners. Positions are available in the areas of sales, administration and technology, according to an article by Market Watch.

“As we ramp up to launch our flat-rate, unlimited service in the Chicago area, we are excited to build a team with local talent and are actively recruiting in the community to fill several key positions,” John Noelker, regional vice president for Cricket Midwest, said in the article. “During a time of economic instability, launching Cricket’s affordable wireless services means economic growth for our community and reliable wireless service for people previously underserved.”

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A new kind of internship is taking shape at Sara Lee.

Brenda C. Barnes, CEO of Sara Lee, recently announced the creation of a program she calls “returnships.” The program is a four-to-six-month paid internship for people who have been out of a Chicago job for three to five years and are currently trying to return to work, according to an article by Forbes.

The company has 10 to 12 internships at its Downers Grove, Ill. headquarters. The internships are in such fields as marketing, accounting, sales, finance and the legal department. The only requirement is that applicants have some experience in that field of work.

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