Illinois’ unemployment rate hits seven-year-low again in July

Posted on August 20, 2015

(Logo courtesy Illinois Department of Employment Security)

By Joe Ragusa

BLOOMINGTON – The state’s unemployment rate continues to drop.

July’s rate was 5.8 percent according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. That’s down a tenth of a percent from June and it’s the lowest unemployment rate since 2008.

Despite the drop and a gain of 1,900 jobs last month, Illinois Department of Employment Security Analyst Evelina Loescher said overall growth has been sluggish.

The federal government said earlier this month that the national unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in July.

Growth in Illinois was seen in construction, leisure and hospitality and local government jobs. Job losses were seen in the education and health services, professional and business services and manufacturing sectors.

Joe Ragusa can be reached at [email protected].

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