By Howard Packowitz

The state’s jobless rate edged higher in June compared to the previous month, as the Illinois Department of Employment Security said the state is not keeping with stronger job markets nationwide.

Job figures released Thursday show Illinois’ unemployment rate edged higher to 4.7 percent in June, from 4.6 percent in May. That’s better than year-ago levels when Illinois’ jobless rate was 5.9 percent.

The U.S. jobless rate was at 4.4 percent last month, from 4.3 percent in May, versus a 4.9 percent nationwide unemployment rate the same time a year ago.

Illinois added 8,600 payrolls last month, and the state revised upward its estimate for May job growth to 11,300, from May’s preliminary figure of 2,400 new jobs.

The number of unemployed Illinois residents rose by 1.4 percent in June to 302,400 people. That was the first monthly increase in unemployed workers since January. Annually, the number of jobless is down almost 21 percent.

The Rauner Administration is using less-than-favorable jobs numbers to promote its efforts for reforms to create more favorable business conditions, especially after the legislature overturned Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of a budget and income tax hike.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]