SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The unemployment rate in Illinois saw a decrease from 2018 to 2019.
Preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security indicated the rate covers 14 metropolitan areas in Illinois.
The figures based on data from December of 2018 to December 2019 are pretty positive, said Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Rebecca Cisco.
“Areas that lost jobs over the year in December include Peoria, along with Rockford and the Quad Cities,” said Cisco.
The number of non-farm jobs increased in 10 metropolitan areas, decreased in three areas, and remained unchanged in one area.
“Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, we now have the lowest unemployment rate in state history with the most jobs on record. The governor is committed to building on this progress by attracting new businesses to Illinois, putting people to work on our infrastructure and creating opportunities for communities that have been left behind for too long,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.
The report did indicate that most job growth for the majority of metropolitan areas was in education and health services, government and transportation, and warehousing and utilities
