 The seasonally adjusted rate fell for the ninth consecutive month,
dropping by 0.3 to a rate of 9.3 percent, according to preliminary
estimates released Friday by the Illinois Department of Employment
Security. The last time the state rate was below 9.3 percent was
March 2009. The national unemployment figures fell by 0.4 percent to
a rate of 9.4. The last time Illinois remained below the national
rate for two consecutive months was September 2006.
"It is encouraging that for nine consecutive months our state has
recorded a drop in the unemployment rate even as more people have
entered the job market," said IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell.
"Preliminary data shows Illinois will close 2010 with a growing
economy, which has not occurred since 2007."
The number of unemployed individuals in the state was down for
the ninth consecutive month, dropping 20,000, or 3.1 percent, to
620,600, the lowest level since March 2009. The state total of
unemployed has declined 144,200, or 18.9 percent, since March 2010,
when the Illinois unemployment rate peaked at 11.5 percent.
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and
seeking employment. Individuals who exhaust benefits, or are
ineligible, will continue to be reflected in the unemployment rate
if they actively seek work.
Revised industry data for November indicates a smaller
contraction, a decrease of 1,600, in total payroll. Slight
up-and-down movement in preliminary and revised data is not
uncommon. Preliminary data for December estimate a seasonally
adjusted decrease of 9,400 nonfarm payroll positions.
In December, Illinois had 46,300 more jobs than in December 2009,
which is the fourth consecutive monthly year-over-year increase.
Illinois' economy continues to compare favorably with the
national economy. Illinois' growth rate is 0.8 percent, and the
national rate is 0.9 percent.
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Job sectors leading Illinois' growth trend are professional and
business services, up 13,600; educational and health services, up
13,800; manufacturing, up 9,100; and trade, transportation and
utilities, up 7,200. The labor force in December was up 21,300, or
0.3 percent, over November to reach 6,687,500. The labor force has
increased for four consecutive months.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security 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 with career planning and economic development. It does so
through nearly 60 offices, including
Illinois workNet
centers.
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Tables:
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Employment Security
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
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