Illinois Unemployment Still Higher than the National Average

Illinois’ unemployment rate of 6.8 percent is two points higher than the national average. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports the largest gains in Illinois last month were 5,500 jobs in leisure and hospitality. Manufacturing saw the largest decline in jobs, losing 2,800. The U.S. Department of Labor shows another 7,000 people filed for initial claims last week, around 100 more than the week before