By Greg Bishop/Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – The state’s unemployment rate shrank in June, but so did its labor force.
The unemployment rate decreased from 6.4 percent to 6.2 percent in June. State officials said the decrease is due to a decline in the labor force, which dropped half a percent over the month.
There have been gains over the past 12 months with leisure and hospitality adding 19,100, and professional and business services adding 16,700, but the manufacturing sector led in losses with 9,100 jobs gone.
The state’s unemployment rate of 6.2 percent continues to lag the national rate of 4.9 percent.
Illinois Department of Economic Security Director Jeff Mays said his office continues to expand services to help people who are looking for work, but said structural reforms are needed to get the state’s economy back on track.
IDES said Illinois is more than 50,000 jobs below its peak in September 2000.
The state’s unemployment rate of 6.2 percent continues to lag the national rate of 4.9 percent.
