Hundreds Attend Waukegan Job & Resource Fair

Event connects community members with local employers and state agencies

Apr. 10, 2026 at 7:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic studio still life featuring a neatly arranged collection of office supplies and job search materials, conveying the abstract concepts of employment, networking, and community resources.A job fair offers a hub for employers, job seekers, and community organizations to connect and address workforce needs.Waukegan Today

Hundreds of people attended a Job & Resource Fair in Waukegan, Illinois, sponsored by state Rep. Rita Mayfield and state Sen. Adriane Johnson. The event brought together employers seeking workers and organizations offering community resources to help connect job seekers with opportunities.

Why it matters

The job fair aimed to address workforce shortages by directly connecting employers with potential candidates, while also providing access to valuable community resources for attendees. Events like this can play an important role in supporting local economic development and helping individuals find stable employment.

The details

The fair took place at the Waukegan Park District's Fieldhouse Sports, Fitness & Aquatics Center, where dozens of employers, including school districts and state agencies, were recruiting for a variety of open positions. Attendees were able to network, learn about job openings, and access resources like assistance for the unemployed. One attendee, Gloria Bafun, was interested in a bus driver role with Zion-Benton Township High School District 126 after working as a long-haul truck driver. The event organizers, Rep. Mayfield and Sen. Johnson, said the goal was to create a 'one-stop shop' where people could find both jobs and community support services.

  • The Job & Resource Fair took place on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The players

Rita Mayfield

State Representative for the 60th District of Illinois, who co-sponsored the job fair.

Adriane Johnson

State Senator for the 30th District of Illinois, who co-sponsored the job fair.

Gloria Bafun

A Zion resident who attended the job fair and was interested in a bus driver position with Zion-Benton Township High School District 126.

Marie Butler-Sampson

Human resources communications support specialist for Zion-Benton Township High School District 126, who was recruiting at the job fair.

Sam Cunningham

Mayor of Waukegan, who was present at the event and connected an attendee with a job opportunity at Erie Health.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“'We need people to educate our children and bus drivers to get them to and from school safely.'”

— Marie Butler-Sampson, Human Resources Communications Support Specialist, Zion-Benton Township High School District 126

“'The purpose of this event is to facilitate career opportunities by connecting community members with local employers and state agencies, while providing a central hub for networking and accessing valuable community resources.'”

— Adriane Johnson, State Senator, 30th District of Illinois

“'This is great networking. I'm getting a chance to talk to people and learn about jobs. Now I'm going to talk to people at Erie Health.'”

— Beth Deram

What’s next

The organizers plan to continue hosting similar job and resource fairs in the future to support the local community and connect residents with employment opportunities.

The takeaway

Events like the Waukegan Job & Resource Fair play a vital role in addressing workforce shortages and supporting economic development by directly connecting job seekers with employers and community resources. The collaborative approach between state and local officials helps ensure these events meet the unique needs of the community.