By Nick Gale, WLS-AM 890 News
(CHICAGO) – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday that the unemployment rate held at 4.1 percent in September and nonfarm payrolls increased by 2,800 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Job growth was flat during the July to September period posting an average monthly change of -100 jobs, significantly less than the prior 3-month average monthly gain of +9,200 jobs during the April and June period. The 9-month period year-to-date is posting average monthly gains of 4,900 per month, up from a year ago when the average monthly increase was 4,000 for the same year-to-date period.
“Nonfarm payrolls were up over-the-month led by gains in education and health services and manufacturing, and jobs were also up over 50,000 from a year ago, “said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Illinois’ unemployment rate at 4.1 percent in September again matched the record low for the state.”
“Over the last year, Illinois has experienced a steady decrease in unemployment,” said Illinois Department of Commerce Acting Director Leslie Munger. “We are thrilled to see opportunity and investment expand across all communities in the state due to an increased focus on supporting our small businesses and marketing our assets to companies around the globe looking to expand.”
In September, the three industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment were: Education and Health Services (+3,300); Manufacturing (+2,300); and Construction (+1,400). The industry sectors with the largest payroll declines were: Professional and Business Services (-2,500), Other Services (-1,500) and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-800).
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