NORMAL- A state wide program is helping Illinois fight staggering employment numbers and stay afloat among the financial mess.

The "Employ Illinois" program is helping small businesses spring forward.

The State of Illinois Treasurer's Office, Chief of Staff Robin Kelly says with the states unemployment rate is at 10.8 percent. "The sobering fact is that Illinois needs more jobs and we need them now," Kelly says.

The State Treasurers Office planted a project that's helped to grow and keep hundreds of jobs.

The program allowed "Little Jewels Learning Center" to expand, they added a whole new wing and an outdoor play area, making a big splash with the 150 plus kids that go there.

Owner of Little Jewels, Julie Dobski says, "It allows you the opportunity to put in things you might not have done. But over 5 years, it's about a $200,000 savings."

Robin Kelly highlights the program, saying," Employ Illinois ties creation of jobs directly to financial help. So banks and businesses are required to add jobs and show results."

Money is pumped into banks with the agreement of lending money to small businesses at low interest rates.

Banks in the area have helped several customers get the loan.
Those bankscan offer competitive rates and business owners are motivated to add on and employ more people.

"If somebody that was thinking of doing it, it might've kicked them over the edge because they're going to be able to do it at a lower cost," says Paul Murphy, who's helped several customers at Commerce Bank.

Little Jewels owner Julie Dobski used the loan a second time  to build another facility in Normal. 

She's opening it in October and is employing 50 new people, a feat she's thankful for, everyday. "I feel lucky, I feel blessed," says Dobski.

And it's a stroke of luck the local economy will welcome.