|
 The seasonally adjusted rate fell 0.1 point to 9.8
percent, according to preliminary data released Friday by the
Illinois Department of Employment Security. October is the seventh
consecutive month that the unemployment rate has fallen. The national
unemployment rate remained unchanged at 9.6 percent.
"As Illinois emerges from the national recession, its unemployment rate has declined for seven consecutive months while
employment has grown in nine of the past 10 months. This steady,
consistent trend shows Illinois is moving forward," IDES Director
Maureen O'Donnell said. "As we move forward, we must continue the
successful strategy of intelligent, focused tax incentives and tailored work
force training programs."
Illinois added 8,000 jobs in October, its largest monthly gain in the last six months. Illinois has added 53,700 jobs this year. Compared with October 2009, Illinois
added 14,400 jobs, the second consecutive monthly year-over-year
increase and the first time since April 2008.
Job sectors leading Illinois' growth trend are professional and
business services, up 18,200; educational and health services, up 14,600;
trade, transportation and utilities, up 8,900; and manufacturing, up 8,600. In October,
construction, up 3,000 jobs, and
health care, up 1,300
jobs, reported strong job growth.
[to top of second column] |
The number of unemployed individuals fell in October for the seventh
consecutive month, decreasing 10,400, or 1.6 percent, to 648,900, the
lowest level reported since April 2009. Total unemployed has
declined 115,900, or 17.9 percent, since March 2010.
The unemployment
rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment.
Individuals who exhaust
unemployment insurance benefits, or are ineligible,
still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if
they actively seek work.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Employment Security
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
