Young Adults Test Many Strategies in Tough Job Market

Some Chicagoland 'Millennials' predict that despite the challenging job market, success can be found through innovation, creative thinking and entrepreneurship.

Young adults across Chicagoland say they continue to fight a tough job market, the high cost of living, and pressures such as moving back home with their parents and paying back steep tuition loans. However, some optimistically predict that coming of age during an economic meltdown could lead to unique generational strengths. "We were told to work hard, keep our noses clean, graduate and you'll get a job, and when that promise is broken, it becomes a more distressing event," said Glencoe native Matthew Segal, who founded the 30-and-under advocacy group OUR TIME. "Clearly, the recession had a disproportionate effect on young workers."  An 'Opportune Environment' for Entrepreneurship Yet, even as they've become disillusioned with traditional…

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Higher Grocery Prices Haven't Sent Residents Out to Eat

A recent study found U.S. citizens dining out more, but that's not true in the Lincoln-Way area, according to restaurants.

Restaurants around the country might be experiencing a surge in business because of high grocery prices, but that's not the case in the Lincoln-Way area.  Marketing research firm NPD Inc. recently reported that U.S. diners were eating out more now than during the recession when supermarket food prices fell sharply, according to a January Reuters story. And although economists might be saying the recession is over, area residents still are pinching pennies. In fact, Enrico’s Italian Dining in Frankfort continues to feel the effects of the economic downturn. “It’s been steady slow,” kitchen supervisor Alyssa Alcantar said of business. “We get a little rush on the weekend, but it’s been pretty dead.” Traditionally, January and February are …

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In Spite of Economy, Housing Development Building in Mokena

While other neighboring communities continue to grapple with the effects of a down economy, residential development appears to be on the rise in Mokena.

Despite a wave of foreclosures and a rough economy, Mokena is seeing a bright spot in a local increase of residential development. Director of Economic and Community Development Alan Zordan said Mokena has seen a 75 percent increase in new housing starts since 2009. There have been 37 new homes starts in 2010, as compared to 21 new homes started last year. Zordan said most neighboring towns have not seen the uptick in new home starts like Mokena has. This is partly because the price of vacant lots have come down considerably in Mokena due to the economy, according to Zordan. A reasonable property tax rate compared to surrounding areas also helps drive more new residents to build in the village. According to an e-mail from New Lenox …

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Parenting Parley

How Much is Your Home Worth?

If you haven't already, it's time to stop thinking about your home in terms of economic value.

We bought our house in March 2006. I remember asking our Realtor at the time if she thought housing prices would continue to appreciate. "Why?" she asked, maybe not scornfully, but with clear disapproval of my skepticism. "You're not one of those bubble people, are you?" I would like to know where Mark A. Wirth, owner of Excel Real Estate Appraisal in Mokena, was when I asked that question four and a half years ago. "Real estate trends are always changing, no matter what anyone tells you," he informed me, just the other day. "The real estate market is a giant roller coaster." We closed one week before our second son was born, and moved in—literally—straight from the delivery room. Happy days, those were. That summer, my husband took to …

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Frankfort Township Food Pantry Feels Economic and Seasonal Pains

79 Mokena households on the list of clients served by township food pantry this year.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the "Great Recession" ended in June 2009, but the Frankfort Township Food Pantry is still waiting to feel the recovery. At the beginning of 2007, the food pantry had a list of 32 area families it served. By Feb. 2009, that figure jumped to 142. As of last April, it was 173. "We're already up 20 percent over last year," said food pantry coordinator Marifran Drymiller. By June 2010, the food pantry had already given out approximately 1,500 bags of supplies. It had 79 active Mokena clients on its list of 205. "It's not a stable environment out there," Drymiller said. "Last week I had appointments for six new clients alone. We usually average 10 a month." The food pantry operated out of a …

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