By Illinois Radio Network
Chicago, IL – The unemployment rate in Illinois is down slightly over the last month.
The August rate was 10 percent, down from the July figure of 10.4 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, which warns against seeing a trend. Small fluctuations are expected in a recession, and the three-month average of 10.2 percent remains the highest since 1983.
The national unemployment rate, 9.7 percent, is its highest since 1983.
In terms of jobs, Illinois is still losing them, down 19,000 over the last month, a slight decline in the rate of loss, but still a loss of jobs for the 20th month in a row, over which time the state has lost 216,000 jobs.
Illinois gained 2,100 manufacturing jobs, the first gain in that sector in more than a year and a half. The construction and information sectors also gained jobs. Big losses were observed in trade, transportation, and utilities and professional, business, and financial activities.
