Local Unemployment Falls Across Illinois | News

MERCER COUNTY, Ill.--A new report by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security was released showing that unemployment in Mercer County has fallen. Unemployment fell to 6.4 percent in November 2012, compared to 7.6 percent in 2011.

Overall in Illinois, local unemployment rates fell in 11or 12 metro areas. Rates fell in Bureau, Henry, Jo Davies, Carroll, Knox, Warren, Rock Island, Whiteside and Lee Counties. The only county in Illinois with higher unemployment was Henderson County.

“The trend of falling unemployment rates across Illinois shows that our economy continues to improve,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “The largest challenge to local economic growth is the fiscal cliff. Economic progress could slow at every level and we risk another recession if Congress does not work together to craft a solution.”

Illinois has added +174,600 private sector jobs since January 2010 when job growth returned to Illinois following nearly two years of monthly declines. State data is seasonally adjusted. Since January 2010, leading growth sectors in Illinois are Professional and Business Services (+84,800); Manufacturing (+45,100) and Educational and Health Services (+42,000). Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down -28,800.

The nation’s unemployment sits at 7.9 percent. Illinois rate is at 8.8 percent.

*Information was based on Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates for November 2011 and November 2012.