It's Larry Morrissey's first state of the city address in his second term as Rockford mayor. Jobs will be a key focus. Not surprising when you consider the latest city of Rockford unemployment rate is 17.2 percent and the area's jobless rate is the largest in the state - higher than at any time in the last 28 years. The jobless say finding work now is a tough battle.

The room is completely full of job seekers at the Workforce Connection.

The class is part of a week long program for dislocated workers. It's tough to get into - there's even a waiting list. Mikayla Jackson is one of the lucky ones to get in after being on the job hunt for months.

"A lot of places are saying oh we're fully staffed, we're not hiring, we're taking applications, leave us your name and number we'll get back to you," Jackson said.

Jackson is making a new resume to beef up her skills. Job training professionals said companies are starting to hire again but not like they have in previous years.

"I think it's starting to pick up, starting to see some glimpses of light at the end of the tunnel," John Strandin said.

Many people are still laid off. The days of want ads are over and many resources are online so job seekers have to make adjustments to their skills like learning the internet to even have a shot at a job. Those additional skills are especially important for jobs in manufacturing which are prevalent in our area.

"That's pretty much all I know. That's all I've done for 28 years," Steven Swain said.

He applied at a staffing service to get some work.

"Anyone who's had a good employment history, has a good attitude toward teamwork and productivity needs to be out beating the bushes I think there is a lot of hiring starting to happen," 23 News employment expert LoRayne Logan said.

He and others run into roadblocks.

"What's there you got 20 other people applying for it you know," Swain said.

Many want a clear cut plan for how the mayor will bring jobs to Rockford. Logan said because the state of Illinois did not make efforts to bring more companies here like other states have, it's created a downward spiral for Rockford.

“There's a lot that the Mayor is undertaking that I think could be beneficial. But conversely, until things happen at the state level and we really become proactive in trying to locate companies to Illinois and become aggresive about wanting them and have employer based thinkng for our laws, we're gonna have a problem," Logan said.