Bloomington-Normal jobless rate falls, but so does number of jobs

Posted on August 23, 2018
Employment application
Illinois’ jobless rate fell to 4.3 percent in July.(Flickr/Flazingo Photos)

By WJBC Staff

SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate in Bloomington-Normal fell last month, matching a statewide trend.

The local jobless rate dropped slightly in July to 4.2 percent, down from 4.3 percent last July. The numbers show more people are working in most areas of the state according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“The number of employed people increased in all metro areas, which contributed to the decrease in the unemployment rate,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “This has driven the unemployment rate down to near record lows across the state. In fact, the Chicago metro area had its lowest July unemployment rate on record.”

But Bloomington-Normal recorded a loss of 300 jobs during the past 12 months to a current work force of slightly less than 92,000.

The statewide unemployment rate for July was 4.3 percent.

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