By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Here’s something to be thankful for — Illinois volunteers. A new report says they provided over $7 billion in volunteer services throughout the state, topping other comparable states.
Every year the Volunteering and Civic Life in America report highlights volunteerism. Illinois ranked No. 1 among the country’s largest states. Chicago ranked No. 1 among the four largest cities.
Serve Illinois Commission Executive Director Scott McFarland said 2.4 million volunteers in Illinois provided free labor in a variety of ways, but the state hasn’t reached it’s full potential. “Even though we’re number, only a quarter of adults volunteered last year so we have a lot of room to expand.”
There are plenty of other benefits to volunteering other than just feeling good. McFarland said volunteers live healthier lives and help their community thrive. Volunteers also open up other opportunities.
“We know that people who volunteer are more likely to find employment afterwards, in fact they’re 27 percent more likely to find a job than those who don’t volunteer,” McFarland said. “And that grows even higher in rural areas where they’re 55 percent more likely to find a job. And those without a high school diploma are 51 percent more likely to find a job.”
The most volunteer activities in Illinois were collecting and distributing food, raising funds, tutoring or engaging in general labor.
Meanwhile, thanks to the Illinois Labor Relations Board’s impasse declaration, Gov. Bruce Rauner is able to implement a new program this coming April to encourage volunteers to help clean up state parks, volunteer at veterans homes and even help fixing up the state fairgrounds. This was previously unallowed due to provisions in the state’s last contract with the public employee union AFSCME.
McFarland said the website Serve.Illinois.gov has resources for people looking for volunteer opportunities in their area.
