IDES: Unemployment rate remains at historical low in October

Posted on November 15, 2019
Illinois’ unemployment rate was down from a year ago when it was 4.2%, according to the IDES. (Photo Pixabay)

 

By Neil Doyle

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Friday the unemployment rate was unchanged at an historically low 3.9% in October.

The state’s unemployment rate is 0.3% higher than the national unemployment rate reported for October 2019, which was 3.6% and up 0.1% from the previous month, according to IDES. The Illinois unemployment rate was down from a year ago when it was 4.2%.

“Illinois’ talented workforce is one of the state’s greatest assets and essential to a thriving business climate,” said Erin Guthrie, Acting Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

The largest job gains were found in government, trade, transportation, and utilities, and other services.

The number of unemployed workers decreased from the prior month, -1.9% to 251,000, a new record low, and was down -8.6% over the same month for the prior year.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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