Biggert Looks to Foreign Trade Pacts to Create Jobs

On the heels of Friday's announcement of worse than expected jobs numbers, U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert (R-13th) is optimistic that three  pending free trade agreements will create jobs.

Friday, the U.S. Department of Labor announced worse than expected jobs numbers with unemployment jumping to 9.2% in June, marking the 29th month of unemployment over 8%. Despite greater than anticipated job growth in the private sector during June, some individuals say the report means little for their chances of securing a full-time position equal to work and educational expectations.

Payroll processing company ADP released a report July 7 showing private sector jobs grew by 157,000 jobs in the month of June—more than double what was expected. However, the growth of private sector jobs was accompanied by reports that national jobless claims remained relatively unchanged. That means many people in the remain unemployed or underemployed.

One bright spot on the jobs horizon took shape this week when the Ways and Means Committee met to consider the three pending free trade agreements with Colombia, South Korea and Panama, Biggert said.

"Together, these agreements would create 250,000 American jobs and increase exports by $13 billion dollars," she said. "Opening markets to American-made goods is one of the clearest, most immediate steps we can take to generate private sector job growth in the U.S. and we should act immediately to do so. The White House has indicated an increasing willingness to formalize the agreements, and I’m hopeful that this week’s Committee action will help generate the momentum needed to make it happen."

In Illinois unemployment is at 8.9 percent according to the last report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, slightly below the national average of 9.2 percent.

Tough economic times has forced some residents of affluent communities like Burr Ridge to rely on food pantry services in order to stay in the community and local organizations to expand their offerings to include job training and utility assistance.