Bloomington-Normal's unemployment rate declined last month compared to a year ago. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the jobless rate dropped 1.2% to 4.5%.
That remains the lowest metro unemployment rate in the state. Peoria's rate went from 7 to 6%, but the area lost 2,600 jobs. Other areas seeing job losses last month were the Illinois side of the Quad Cities, Springfield, Kankakee, Decatur and East St. Louis.
Department Director Jeff Mays says that a portion of a decline in unemployment rates occurs when people drop out of the labor force.
Metropolitan Area Aug. 2015 Aug. 2014 Change
Bloomington 4.5% 5.7% -1.2
Carbondale-Marion 5.7% 7.1% -1.4
Champaign-Urbana 4.9% 6.5% -1.6
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights 5.7% 6.9% -1.2
Danville 6.7% 8.5% -1.8
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 5.1% 5.9% -0.8
Decatur 6.8% 8.4% -1.6
Elgin 5.1% 6.6% -1.5
Kankakee 6.1% 7.8%-1.7
Lake-Kenosha 4.7% 6.1%-1.4
Peoria 6.0% 7.0%-1.0
Rockford 6.4% 8.0%-1.6
Springfield 4.7% 5.9%-1.2
St. Louis (Ill. section) 5.6% 7.1%-1.5
Illinois Statewide 5.6% 6.9% -1.3
Source: Illinois Department Of Employment Security
