Illinois IGNN: Workforce/Jobs News
The Illinois Government News Network (IGNN) section is your online source for news from the State of Illinois. Choose from the IGNN Links on the right to locate press releases in the categories that are of interest to you, or use the search the news feature to locate specific press releases or a different topic of releases. For other media, access the Illinois Information Service (IIS) Radio page for digital radio feeds and news soundbites.

• Governor Blagojevich reminds veterans, employers hiring veterans to file for new tax exemptions - New 2007 legislation encourages businesses to hire Veterans and provides returning and disabled Veterans with property tax relief
  SPRINGFIELD – As a number of tax deadlines begin rapidly approaching, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today reminded the state’s military heroes and employers who have hired them to file for new tax exemptions. Two new laws went into effect in 2007; one made more Illinois veterans and disabled persons eligible for property tax relief and the other created the Veteran’s Tax Credit - a state income tax credit available to employers for every qualified veteran they hire.
• Governor Blagojevich urges Bush Administration to keep commitment to FutureGen - Landmark clean-coal project will revolutionize nation’s energy production, create thousands of jobs and bring major outside investment to Central Illinois
  CHICAGO – One day after the FutureGen Alliance selected Mattoon as the site of the $1.4 billion plant, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich sent a letter to U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman urging him to follow through on the commitment to fund FutureGen -- what will be the cleanest fossil fuel-fired power plant in the world. After the U.S. Department of Energy (USDOE) raised concerns about the project in media reports late yesterday, Governor Blagojevich requested a meeting with Secretary Bodman to discuss how to move the project forward so East Central Illinois communities can benefit from the economic boost, and so the whole nation and the world can benefit from the landmark clean coal innovations.
• Governor Blagojevich celebrates decision to locate FutureGen in Mattoon - Landmark clean-coal project will revolutionize nation’s energy production, create thousands of jobs and bring major outside investment to Central Illinois
  MATTOON – Joined by members of the FutureGen for Illinois Taskforce, elected officials, and local residents, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today celebrated the FutureGen Industrial Alliance’s decision to build the first of its kind power plant in Mattoon. The Alliance announced at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. this morning that Illinois will be home to the $1.4 billion FutureGen clean coal project. The announcement follows more than four years of extensive planning and preparation in Illinois.
• Gov. Blagojevich announces more than $1.2 million available for nurses working in state's Veterans' Homes to help pay for their education - Grants will help recruit and retain quality nursing staff to ensure the best care for Illinois veterans
  CHICAGO - Today, in recognition of Veterans Day, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich announced grant funds are available to nurses working at Illinois Veterans' Homes to help them pay off student loans. Nurses who provide care for Illinois Veterans in the state's four Veterans' Homes are now eligible to have as much as $5,000 of their student loans repaid by the state, thanks to the new Veterans' Home Nurse Loan Repayment Program administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA). There is a total of $1.22 million available for nurses through this program.
• Gov. Blagojevich encourages employers to hire Veterans during "Hire a Vet" month in Illinois - Announces job fairs for Veterans throughout the state and reminds employers about $600 tax credit for each Veteran hired
  CHICAGO - Building on his commitment to help the state's Veterans get the opportunities they have bravely earned, Governor Rod R. Blagojevich today encouraged employers to hire the state's military heroes during "Hire a Vet Month" in Illinois. The state will host several job fairs for Veterans this month and the Governor reminded employers of the new state income tax credit available of up to $600 for every qualified Veteran they hire.