Durbin says the state is losing 1,200 jobs each day.
"I, frankly, think what's happening here is the right thing, trying to find new skills, improve the skills that you have, look for job opportunities and be ready to fill them," Durbin said.
"You just try to scramble to find a way to make work. So, at this particular time, I'm trying to use this program as a stepping stone to make my life better," said program student Clarence Harp.
Durbin and Schakowsky say they will also introduce a bill to give tax breaks to companies that invest in American jobs.
