Statewide unemployment rate continues to drop

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that the unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage point to 4.4 percent based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state’s unemployment rate was nearly one percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate for July, which was 3.5 percent. The number of unemployed workers was down from the prior month, a 1.1 percent decrease to 287,200.
“As the statewide unemployment rate continues to drop and continued claims levels for unemployment benefits remain at historic lows, IDES encourages employers and jobseekers to utilize the Department’s robust employment services tools for reentry into the workforce,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.