Quinn Announces Summer Jobs Program For Teens
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Even though the calendar reads July and summer jobs are scarce for teens, the state of Illinois has hundreds of unfilled jobs for those 16-19 years old.
In addition, the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) has 150 six-month internships for those ages 19-25.
All pay $8.50 an hour.
The jobs are being made possible through a $10 million DNR program. Grants have been made for programs at more than 100 state and local parks, as well as conservation, recreation and nature centers.
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Quinn and DNR Director Marc Miller said that the money is sufficient to fund 2,500 summer jobs, but said hundreds remain unfilled.
"You can apply today and start working today," Miller said.
Miller said some communities were on the brink of canceling summer camp, swimming and recreation programs when DNR announced that the grant program would go forward.
Quinn said that the Illinois conservation Corps jobs are "green" jobs that "will prepare our youth to compete in the economy of tomorrow."
The list of cooperating agencies and locations can be found online at http://jobs.illinois.gov.
