BLOOMINGTON - Donna Roeske has been looking for work since the recession claimed her $15-an-hour job as a customer service representative earlier this year.

On Thursday, the 61-year-old Bloomington woman was at a Casey's General Stores job fair eager to take a much lower-paying job.

"I need the money," Roeske said.

She wasn't alone. With McLean County's unemployment rate at 6 percent, layoffs at businesses from Wildwood Industries to Caterpillar, and buyouts and pay freezes for many of those still fortunate enough to be working, competition among Central Illinois' unemployed is increasing.

Consider that about 80 people applied for about 30 jobs at Casey's, most of which pay $8 to $10 an hour.

"People out there are getting laid off with 20 years of experience," said Billie Jo Scott, the area supervisor of Casey's, who said she's noticed a higher level of experience with applicants since the economy went bad.

The daylong job fair, at Bloomington's Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, included positions at six Casey's stores in the Bloomington-Normal area. Many will be at the company's new Hudson store, scheduled to open in mid-August.

Though the pay isn't great, the company offers 401(k), medical, dental and life insurance.

For Roeske, it's not only a matter of money but also staying busy. She's been unemployed since February when she lost her job in customer service at a Gridley manufacturer.

"As long as I'm in good health, I want to work," she said.

Married with grown children, Roeske has applied for work as a bank teller, secretary and receptionist.

"The recession is depressing. Every time you hear about more getting laid off you realize there's more competition," she said.

Among other applicants Thursday was Tom Drewry, 55, of Bloomington.

"I moved here from Oklahoma in January," Drewry said, adding that he has retail experience and likes dealing with the public.

Meeting the public is also a plus to 29-year-old Casey's applicant James Eubank of Bloomington. He has done construction and factory work, but has been unemployed since late last year.

"It's not a great-paying job but it's still work," he said.