Illinois unemployment rate drops to 9.8 pct

[January 21, 2012]  CHAMPAIGN (AP) -- Unemployment in Illinois dropped to 9.8 percent in December. It was the second month in a row with a decrease

The Illinois Department of Employment Security said Friday that the unemployment rate fell despite the overall number of jobs in the state dropping by 4,100 in December. Statewide unemployment had fallen slightly in November to 10 percent after six straight months of increases.

Federal officials said earlier this week that national unemployment fell to a three-year low of 8.5 percent in December.

For all of 2001, Illinois unemployment rate averaged 9.4 percent. That was down almost a full percentage point from 2010.

Manufacturing employers added 2,200 jobs in December. That was more than any other type of employer. The biggest jobs losses were in construction, where firms cut 4,300 jobs.

[Associated Press]

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