Veterans Are "Strategic Assets" to Illinois Communities

(Undated) -- Despite being well-educated and specially trained, many veterans in Illinois struggle to find work in the civilian world. Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Rodrigo Garcia says the newest generation of vets, post 9-11, faces greater challenges in finding employment compared to their non-veteran peers. And he says the state is educating companies about the versatile skills veterans can offer in the workplace. The state is mobilizing the business community through the Illinois Hires Heroes program, a group of nearly 100 employers committed to hiring and retaining veteran employees. Garcia says thousands of veterans attended hiring events last year, and there were hundreds of job offers the same day. There are also resources available for employers through the Illinois Department of Employment Security and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.