By Eric Stock
SPRINGFIELD – Some encouraging job numbers in the Twin Cities.
Bloomington-Normal’s jobless rate fell to 4.5 percent in August, and has added 500 jobs over the last year acccording to the Illinois Department of Employment Security . All 12 metropolitan areas in Illinois have had a drop in the jobless rate over the last 18 months, though half of the metro areas actually lost jobs – a sign some are simply leaving the work force.
The statewide unemployment rate has slipped to 5.6 percent. Decatur has the highest unemployment rate in the state at 6.8 percent.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
