Chicago's Jobless Rate Falls In October
CHICAGO (STMW) -- The unemployment rate in the Chicago area fell to 8.4 percent in October from 9.8 percent a year earlier and the area added 24,200 jobs, the Illinois Department of Employment Security said Wednesday.
Declines occurred in every metropolitan area in the state and were at their lowest levels for the month since 2008, the agency said.
But the seasonally unadjusted data showed the rate rose from 8 percent last month.
"Falling unemployment rates across our state and the lowest October rates since 2008 show that our steady economic progress continues, IDES Director Jay Rowell said in a statement. "We now look to Congress to address the fiscal cliff. If not resolved, our future economic progress will be in jeopardy."
The highest unemployment rate in the state was in Rockford at 10.8 percent. But that was down from 12.6 percent a year earlier, the biggest decline statewide. The lowest jobless rate was in Bloomington-Normal at 6.6 percent down from 7.3 percent.
(Source: Sun-Times Media Wire © Chicago Sun-Times 2012. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
