Jeez, sorry about that! I just got laid off, too, from a Tier 1 auto supplier. I just finished my 1st week at home, playing with bikes, letting my emotions settle down, and making a plan.

I've been through now four engineering layoffs, so it's not such a great shock - one just has to figure out what's the best thing to do next, and go do it. For me it's severance, unemployment, pension, job search, financial planning. Maybe a new brevet frame if I recover well enough, monetarily!

Here in Michigan it's real important to file for unemployment. A: you might really get something. B: you get access to the state job bank. C: you've paid into the damn thing, the benefits are yours!

It's been too long since I was unemployed in Illinois, but I'd assume there is still a strong program for you to take advantage of. My mom worked in the back offices at the State of Illinois so I used to know a lot about it, but I replaced all that knowledge with important details about bike parts.

Feel free to pm me for any reason, Psimet!

Road Fan