Teen unemployment high in Chicago despite improving economy, study says

WLS logo
Saturday, January 31, 2015
WLS-WLS

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Even with an improving economy, teen unemployment in Chicago is a big problem, according to a new study by the Chicago Urban League.

In 2012-2013, 10.5 percent of black teens in the city had jobs. That compares to 21.2 percent for Hispanic teens and 30.3 percent of white teens.

"You want us to focus on not just summer jobs, but jobs for year-round, your need for a job doesn't end after eight weeks, we want you to know we continue to work on that," said Andrea Zopp of the Chicago Urban League.

Zopp says the Chicago Urban League needs more resources to expand its programs to provide more mentoring and jobs for young people.