(Photo courtesy Flickr/Flazingo Photos)
By Illinois News Network
SPRINGFIELD – Internal data at the Illinois Department of Employment Security indicates a softening of the state’s labor market in the coming months, according to the Department which released a report about metro area unemployment rates.
The report says that September saw another decrease in the unemployment rate for every metro area while eight areas experienced job losses compared to a year ago.
Bloomington-Normal has the lowest jobless rate in the state at 4.3 percent. The highest rate of 6.4 percent is in Decatur and Danville.
The biggest loser of jobs was the the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island metro area that lost 4,200 jobs over the year. Illinois’ section of the St. Louis metro area follows with a loss of 1,700 jobs over the year and Peoria lost 1,500 jobs.
Five other metro areas saw job losses over the year while only seven metro areas saw jobs increase. Statewide Illinois has only gained 27,000 jobs over the year, mostly in the Chicago area.
