The year 2009 was a difficult one for the city of Chicago, and for the country as a whole. The Great Recession had hit, and many people found themselves out of work as businesses closed their doors or downsized. In March of that year, we spoke with five Chicagoans who had recently lost their jobs. They shared their stories and their thoughts on how to cope with the new economic reality.

Chicago Residents Speak Out

Teresa, a former customer service representative, was one of the first to be let go. “I loved my job, and I loved the people I worked with,” she said. “But suddenly, I was out of work, and I didn’t know what to do.” Teresa decided to take some time off and focus on her family. “It was hard at first, but I realized that I needed to take care of myself and my loved ones,” she said.

Another person we spoke with was John, who had been a construction worker for more than a decade. “I never thought I would lose my job,” he said. “But when the economy tanked, everything changed.” John decided to go back to school to get his degree in engineering. “I realized that I needed to retool and learn new skills if I wanted to be employable in the future,” he said.

Lila, a former advertising executive, had a similar experience. “I had been working in the industry for years, but suddenly, there were no jobs to be had,” she said. Lila decided to start her own business, focusing on social media marketing. “It was a risk, but it was something I had always wanted to do,” she said. “And now, I’m able to support myself doing something I love.”

For others, the road was more difficult. Mike, a former auto worker, struggled to make ends meet after losing his job. “I had always worked in the industry, and I didn’t know how to do anything else,” he said. Mike eventually found work in a different field, but it was a humbling experience. “I had to start at the bottom, and it was tough,” he said.

Finally, there was Maria, who had been a teacher for many years. “I loved my job, and I loved my students,” she said. “But when the school district laid off so many teachers, I was one of the ones who was let go.” Maria decided to start her own tutoring business. “It’s not the same as teaching, but I’m still able to help kids and make a difference,” she said.

These five Chicagoans each had their own unique experience with the economic downturn. Some were able to find new opportunities and reinvent themselves, while others struggled to make ends meet. But all of them showed resilience and determination in the face of adversity. As we look back on that difficult time, it’s important to remember that we can learn from their experiences and find ways to support each other as we navigate whatever challenges the future may hold.