Latino State News
Unemployment Down in Chicago and Other Illinois Metro Areas
According to reports from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the Chicago area’s unemployment rate fell in September, and the same can be said for all of Illinois’ metropolitan areas.
A year ago, the unemployment rate was 10.4 percent in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area, while today is sits at 9.4 percent.
Metropolitan areas with the largest declines were Peoria (down 1.9 percent to 10.8), Decatur (down 1.9 percent to 10.9), and Metro East (down 1.2 percent to 9.4).
Rockford’s metro area continues to have the highest unemployment rate despite its drop from 15.5 percent to 14.8 percent.
Maureen O’Donnell, IDES Director, said that, for the first time since March 2007, Illinois’ unemployment rates are falling in every part of the state.
However, Illinois’ stands at 9.4 percent, with the national average at 9.2 percent.
