Nation wide down yes but how about we check out Wisconsin and county wise Rock, Walworth, Jefferson, and Green..... that is my target Wisconsin area and lets get together with Illinois and see how the border cities are doing....... So I say to the Gazette please give me more regional numbers if you could...... We need to concentrate on this new era.

chelleandlou - I would recommend going back and talking to someone. Like yourself I have miltiple degree's, and I am now going even further than that. Do not take one persons answer as the gospel, as the people there may only be familiar with the programs they specifically deal with. There are many programs and people working there who deal with different things, you just need to speak with the right person for your needs.

I know being unemployed can bring you down, as I became unemployed due to the GM downsizing, but there is help available if you have the motivation to find it. No one is going to hand anything to you, so look out for yourself first, and take advantage of what you can.

I was told a few years ago that they couldn't help me because I was already educated. I have 2 associate degrees, no job, and they can't do anything to help. Fortunately, I do get healthcare for my daughter and my food stamps just went from $10/mo to $14/mo. Oh and my insurance premium is $10/mo. Oh and I am not eligible under any of the programs for any monthly payments; and there's a 2 year wait for housing assistance.

I do not totally agree with villajanesville. But I will say that everytime I have been in that building they have been rude or just sit there for ten min before asking if you need help. I was taught in my desk jobs that even if you are busy you should at least aknowledge the person and let them know you will be with them in a minute. Yes I do recieve medical assistance for my daughter. I am somewhat ashamed of it but I'm glad it is there to help when I need it. I don't recieve any other benefits and I am looking for a job. I think the Job Center itself is a joke but that is just my opinion.

Maybe you could get a better job than stuffing envelopes if you took advantage of some of the programs available to enhance your education, instead of wasting time critiquing staff that has a real job...