New numbers released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security show Illinois' employment rate improving. The average for the state in November was 8.2 percent, higher than the national average of 7.4 percent. Of Illinois' 12 metro areas, only Decatur showed an increase in unemployment. The Soy City had a rate of 10.2 percent versus 9.8 percent in November 2011. Springfield saw it's rate fall to 6.8 percent from 7.4 percent over the same time period. Overall, the state has added over 174 thousand private sector jobs since 2010. IDES Director Jay Rowell says the largest challenge to local economic growth is the fiscal cliff. Rowell says economic progress could slow at every level and the nation is at risk for another recession if Congress does not find a solution.
(posted 12/27/12 @ 2:30pm by Christian Spain)
