Nov 19, 2009 12:13 pm US/Central
Unemployment Jumps To 11 Percent In Illinois
October Unemployment Highest Since August 1983
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Chicagoans line up to claim their benefits at an Unemployment Office at 3500 W. Grand Ave. in March of this year. (File Photo)
CBS
Unemployment in Illinois jumped to 11 percent in October of this year, the highest it has been in 26 years.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security said the unemployment rate for October was 11.0 percent, up from 10.5 percent in September, and up from 6.8 percent in October of last year.
"While the slowing pace of job loss and other leading economic indicators bring with it cautious optimism, they are of little comfort to those seeking meaningful employment during this national recession," department Director Maureen O'Donnell said in a news release. "Past economic recoveries suggest the nation will begin to benefit from a growing economy before unemployment rates in Illinois begin to retreat."
The last time unemployment was this high was in August 1983, when Harold Washington had recently become mayor of Chicago, and Carlton Fisk and Ron Kittle were leading the White Sox to the playoffs.
The average unemployment over the last three months in Illinois is 10.5 percent, the highest since November 1983.
The state reported job losses in numerous industries. The trade and transportation sectors lost 1,400 jobs, and the manufacturing sector lost 800. But some sectors reported significant gains in jobs – 3,600 for educational and health services, 1,300 for professional and business services, and 1,000 for construction, according to the Department of Employment Security.
Nationally, unemployment rose to 10.2 percent in October. That's the highest since April 1983, when President Ronald Reagan was still in his first term in office.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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