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Governor Hosts Jobs Fair For Veterans

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Gov. Pat Quinn helped host a job fair for veterans at the Hilton Chicago hotel on Wednesday.

WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports, after addressing a crowd of veterans, employers and others at the "Hiring our Heroes" job fair, Quinn made the rounds and took the résumé of Woodridge resident Corey Shaw, an Army veteran.

Shaw served as a military police officer in Afghanistan and said he's looking for security work now.

"I'm looking in that field. I mean, there's so many opportunities out there, I would broaden my spectrum, whatever it takes," he said. "So, get a job wherever you have to go."

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio Political Editor Craig Dellimore reports

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Quinn told Shaw his experience as an MP would qualify him for the test to be an Illinois State Police trooper. That seemed to encourage Shaw.

The governor said, "It's very very important that we band together, in the best traditions of Abraham Lincoln's democracy, and work with our employers all across our state, and across our country, to make sure that those who have volunteered, gone forward, when they come home, that they don't have to fight for a job."

Erica Borggren, Illinois Director of Veterans Affairs, said the jobs expo is not aimed only at helping veterans, but also helping Illinois companies take advantage of the experience and talents that veterans have to offer.

More than 1,000 job seekers attended the job fair, where more than 100 businesses were participating. About 9,000 people have found jobs through the "Hiring our Heroes" program since it launched last year.

Businesses can receive a state income tax credit of up to $1,200 for each qualified veteran who is hired.

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