Twin-Cities jobless rate up almost 7%; Increase in all 14 metro areas

Posted on July 23, 2020
The statewide unemployment rate for June was 14.6%, a record high for the month, dating back to 1976. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – The unemployment rate in Bloomington-Normal is 10.6%, up from 3.8% in June of last year, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

IDES said the jobless rate was up in all 14 metro areas across the state, with six metro areas at record low payrolls. The statewide unemployment rate for June was 14.6%, a record high for the month, dating back to 1976.

The Twin-Cities lost 9,200 jobs over the year, currently at 82,100.

Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-13.2%, -22,800), Elgin (-12.6%, -33,400), Decatur (-11.4%, -5,800) and Rockford (-11.4%, -17,400). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down -9.5% (-366,300).

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…