For many, recession hasn't eased

CHICAGO — Two years into the recovery, layoffs have leveled off, jobs are being created and the economy is expected to keep growing.

Yet many families are still struggling as if they were in a recession.

In Chicago, Jeanette Taylor-Smith skips a bill payment to buy shoes for her children. Every month, Abraham Duenas reassesses whether he can keep his coffee shop running. And Leticia Moreno is still finding ways to cut her grocery bill by buying less meat and skipping the organic aisle.

It’s like recovering from a massive heart attack: People are alive, but they are not doing well, said Diane Swonk, chief economist at Mesirow Financial.

There are signs of hope. Companies have slowed layoffs to pre-recession levels, and Swonk expects exports to remain strong and business investment to increase on the heels of robust orders.

Still, unemployment rose in May to 9.1 percent, those who are employed are working more for the same salary or less, and the public sector continues to shed an average of 23,000 jobs a month.

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