Bloomington-Normal jobless rate drops to lowest in Illinois

Posted on January 26, 2018
job application
Bloomington-Normal added 1,100 non-farm jobs in 2017. (Photo courtesy Pixabay)

By Eric Stock

SPRINGFIELD – Bloomington-Normal ended 2017 with the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 3.8 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The unemployment rate dropped in all 14 metro areas last month, compared to year ago levels.

All but three metro areas saw the jobless rate drop by at least one percent compared to December of last year.

“Eleven metro areas saw their lowest December unemployment rates since 2006,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “The unemployment rate also decreased in all 102 counties over the year.”

The Bloomington-Normal area reportedly added 1,100 non-farm job last year.

The highest jobless rate was in Danville at six percent.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].

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