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Economy

QCs Jobless Figures Rise Slightly, Year-Over-Year

Jobless rate graphic

The unemployment rate dropped last month in eight of Illinois’ 14 metropolitan areas compared to June a year ago, but not in the Quad Cities. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the local jobless rate was 5.6% last month compared to 5.3% a year earlier.

Tom Austin, Labor Market Analyst, says in June, the Quad Cities lost 5,500 jobs compared to June of last year.

The mixed results across the state are due to trends affecting the whole Midwest and beyond. For example, Austin says manufacturing in the Rockford area shows job gains due to improvement in the automobile sector.

For the Quad Cities, the professional and business services sector lost 2,000 jobs compared to one year ago. Education and health services lost 1,400. Manufacturing dropped 1,100. Retail and leisure and hospitality lost 1,000 jobs each. Government and construction added 700 jobs each compared to the previous year.

The Quad Cities jobless rate of 5.6% last month is lower than the statewide average which was 6%. But it's higher than the national rate of 5.1%. The metropolitan statistical area, state, and national figures compare June of 2016 with June of 2015 and are not seasonally adjusted.

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
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