Unemployment Falls in All Illinois Metro Areas

Recorded drop in every corner of state is first since March 2007

The Illinois Department of Employment Security is reporting unemployment in all the state's metropolitan areas fell in September.

The agency reported Thursday the metro areas showing the largest declines in unemployment were Peoria, down 1.9 percent to 10.8 percent, with Decatur 1.2 percent lower at 10.9 percent, and Metro East 1.2 percent lower at 9.4 percent.

IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell says for the first time since March 2007, Illinois is recording falling unemployment rates in every corner of the state.

The Rockford metro area continued to have the highest unemployment rate at 14.8 percent, down from 15.5 percent in September 2009. Unemployment in Illinois' largest metropolitan area, Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, was 9.4 percent, down from 10.4 percent in September 2009.

Overall, Illinois unemployment stands at 9.4 percent, while nationally it is 9.2.  

Metropolitan area Sept. 2010 Sept. 2009
Bloomington-Normal 7.2 percent 7.5 percent
Champaign-Urbana 8.3 percent 8.7 percent
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville 9.4 percent 10.4 percent
Danville 10.8 percent 11.9 percent
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island 7.8 percent 8.4 percent
Decatur 10.9 percent 12.1 percent
Kankakee-Bradley 12 percent 12.3 percent
Lake-Kenosha, Ill.-Wis. 9.4 percent 10 percent
Peoria 9.4 percent 11.3 percent
Rockford 14.8 percent 15.5 percent
Springfield 7.5 percent 7.9 percent
St. Louis (Ill. section) 9.4 percent 10.6 percent
Copyright AP - Associated Press
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