Saturday, January 21, 2012
 
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State unemployment at 9.8 pct

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[January 21, 2012]  CHICAGO -- The December unemployment rate fell to 9.8 percent and the state shed 4,100 jobs, according to preliminary data released Friday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The data is seasonally adjusted. The unemployment rate averaged 9.4 percent in 2011, down 0.9 percentage points from 2010.

"Illinois' economy continues to take positive steps forward despite the pressures of an uneven national recovery," said IDES Director Jay Rowell. "Illinois has recorded job growth in seven of 12 months. We have averaged 4,400 new jobs each month in 2011. Monthly snapshots are just that, but looking at long-term trends reveals the path we are taking. Our long-term growth trajectory shows Illinois' economy moving forward and in the right direction."

Illinois added 52,600 jobs in 2011 and 95,900 jobs since January 2010, when job growth returned to Illinois after 23 consecutive months of declines. Since January 2010, leading growth sectors in Illinois are professional and business services, up 49,600; educational and health services, up 38,900; trade, transportation and utilities, up 20,300; and manufacturing, up 19,400. Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down 13,400.

In December 2011, unemployed individuals decreased for the second consecutive month, down 13,100, or 2.0 percent, to 647,300. Total unemployed has declined 92,800, or 12.5 percent, since January 2010, when the state unemployment rate peaked at 11.2 percent.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. Individuals who exhaust their benefits or are ineligible still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

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The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development. The department does so through nearly 60 offices, including Illinois workNet centers.

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See tables of seasonally adjusted unemployment rates and job figures by categories.

[Text from news release from the Illinois Department of Employment Security]

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