MOUNT VERNON - Gov. Rod Blagojevich hopes Richard Degler's story will prove inspirational to the half-million Illinoisans looking for jobs during tough economic times.

To that end, the governor is encouraging job-seekers to use some of the same state services that helped Degler climb the ladder from abrupt layoff to success.

Degler of Pinckneyville lost a good-paying job when the Technicolor Universal Media Services plant closed. Since then, Degler has received his associate's and bachelor's degrees and gotten employment with Natural Enrich Industries in Sesser.

"The services I received through the local workforce area were critical to me successfully completing my degrees and finding another job," he said at a press conference Thursday.

Blagojevich was in Mount Vernon Thursday, joined by Degler and local workforce officials, to tout Workforce Outreach Days at six Illinois workNet locations in the state including the One-Stop Business and Employment Center at Rend Lake College MarketPlace and One-Stop Employment and Training at Illinois Centre mall in Marion.

During the outreach, the workNet centers will provide their usual services such as free career planning, training and job placement services, but also be able to sign up for state help like the All Kids health plan, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance and the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer program.

Information will also be available about Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Unemployment Assistance and Homeowner Assistance.

The governor also announced the launching of a new Workforce Portal at www.illinois.gov/workforce to connect parents, job-seekers, veterans, people with disabilities, small business owners and employers with state services to help during the economic downturn.

The state unemployment rate has averaged 7.1 percent over the past three months, he said, the highest level since November 1993. And those with jobs are seeing wages grow at a slower rate.

"I know that Illinoisans are suffering. We see evidence of that every day as families make difficult decisions about budgeting their money, how to get by while they look for a new job, or how to ensure that their children have opportunities in this tough economy," Blagojevich said.

"While our state cannot fix the mistakes made by those on Wall Street and in Washington, we do offer services to help families through a difficult time," the governor said.

The outreach days will continue at the local One Stops through today, spokesman Brian Williamsen said.

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