1. Illinois Department of Employment Security — Free
State employment services.
(800) 244-5631 · 33 S State St, Chicago, IL 60603 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
Best Job & Career in Illinois — 14 verified resources
About Job & Career for Women
Job and career resources for women run through the 2,400+ American Job Centers (AJCs) nationwide, the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and SBA Women's Business Centers. AJCs offer free job search, resume help, and WIOA-funded training (often
0,000+ in tuition for in-demand occupations). WANTO grants fund women entering nontraditional trades like construction, electrical, and HVAC. Registered Apprenticeships pay workers during training, and organizations like Chicago Women in Trades, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), and Dress for Success support entry and re-entry. For formerly incarcerated women, programs like the Center for Employment Opportunities provide transitional jobs. This directory includes AJCs, WBCs, apprenticeships, and women-focused workforce programs.
Job & Career in Illinois
Illinois handles family law through circuit courts in each of its 23 judicial circuits, with Cook County running its own Domestic Relations Division. The Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement. Chicago dominates the state; Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, and Peoria follow. Legal Aid Chicago, Land of Lincoln Legal Aid, and the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.
14 Resources
2. IllinoisJobLink — Free
State job board.
(800) 244-5631 · Online platform · 24/7 online · Visit Website
3. Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership — Free
Career centers across Chicago and Cook County.
(312) 603-0200 · 69 W Washington St Suite 2860, Chicago, IL 60602 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website
4. Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago — Free
Job training and employment placement.
(312) 588-4300 · 2451 S Washtenaw Ave, Chicago, IL 60608 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
5. Illinois Small Business Development Center — Free
Free business counseling.
(217) 524-5856 · Multiple IL locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
6. Year Up Chicago — Free
Free workforce training for young adults.
(312) 784-0348 · 36 S Wabash Ave Suite 1100, Chicago, IL 60603 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website
7. CareerOneStop — Free
US Department of Labor career, training, and job search portal. Find American Job Centers near you.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
8. America's Job Centers — Free
Free in-person career help, training referrals, and job search assistance at 2,400+ AJC locations nationwide.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
9. DOL Women's Bureau — Free
US Department of Labor agency promoting good jobs and equity for working women. Resources and data.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
10. Dress for Success — Free
Free professional attire and career development services for women entering the workforce.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
11. Bottomless Closet — Free
Free interview-appropriate clothing and career development for women seeking economic independence.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
12. Goodwill Career Services — Free
Free job training, career counseling, and placement at Goodwill centers nationwide.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
13. SCORE — Free Business Mentors — Free
Free mentoring and business education for entrepreneurs, including women business owners.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
14. SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership — Free
US Small Business Administration support for women entrepreneurs including Women's Business Centers.
Nationwide · Online · Visit Website
Frequently Asked
- How many job & career resources are in Illinois?
- Women's Corner tracks 14 verified job & career resources for women in Illinois.
- Are job & career resources in Illinois free?
- 14 of the 14 listed job & career resources in Illinois are explicitly free or low-cost.
- Which cities in Illinois have job & career resources?
- Listings span cities including Chicago.
- What are some examples of job & career resources in Illinois?
- Featured entries include Illinois Department of Employment Security, IllinoisJobLink, Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago, Illinois Small Business Development Center.
- Do these listings include phone numbers?
- 6 of 14 Illinois job & career listings include verified phone numbers.
- Where do I get free job training?
- Your local American Job Center (find at CareerOneStop.org or call 1-877-872-5627) offers free training, resume help, and job placement through the WIOA program. Goodwill, Dress for Success, and Bottomless Closet provide job-readiness, interview clothing, and coaching. Community colleges run short-term certificate programs (CNA, medical billing, IT) under ,000 that lead to immediate jobs.
- Are there programs that hire single mothers?
- Yes. Many employers partner with Goodwill, YWCA, and Workforce Boards on second-chance and single-mom hiring tracks — childcare assistance, flexible schedules, and tuition reimbursement included. Look at 'Family Forward NC' style state initiatives, certified Family-Friendly employers, and federal contractors (required to support working parents). Healthcare and logistics are the fastest-growing single-mom-friendly fields.
- How do I write a resume after years out of the workforce?
- Skip the chronological format — use a functional or hybrid resume that leads with skills (organization, budgeting, time management, problem-solving from caregiving counts). Reframe volunteer work, PTA, and freelance work as professional experience. Free help: American Job Centers, Dress for Success Career Center, LinkedIn's free resume builder, and the SBA Women's Business Centers.
- What if I have a criminal record?
- You still qualify for most jobs — Ban-the-Box laws in 37 states delay background questions until later in hiring. Federal contractors can't ask about records on the initial application. The Federal Bonding Program insures employers against loss for hiring you. Many states allow expungement of certain records after a waiting period — ask legal aid about clearing your record.