* From IDES…
The October unemployment rate in Illinois was 6.6 percent, unchanged from September, and down from 9.1 percent one year ago, according to preliminary data released today by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Private employers added +900 jobs in October, but government job cuts meant -2,000 fewer payroll positions than in September. Illinois employers still reported +39,400 more jobs than on year ago. The labor force grew by +31,800 in October, increasing the number of people working or looking for work to 6,531,100, the highest level since November 2008. The number of unemployed was 429,000, down -324,500 since Jan. 2010.
900 jobs is pretty darned light. Here is the chart…
- Norseman - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:17 pm:
Projections for the future show continued government job decline, with higher losses expected in December and January.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:24 pm:
They finally noted the labor force numbers in the language of the release?
That increase in the labor force is a good sign, one typically associated with economic recovery when it occurs alongside job growth.
- Formerly Known As... - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 12:34 pm:
The language of the release distracted me from the actual numbers. Labor Force up 31,800, but jobs down by 2,000.
Government jobs are the biggest monthly loser, down 2,900 from Sep 2014, but up 1,700 from Oct 2013.
Educational and Health Services are the biggest monthly gainer, up 4,600 from Sep 2014, and up 10,300 from Oct 2013.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 1:28 pm:
When the overall loss is due to the loss of government jobs, the Republicans shouldn’t be too critical, right?
- A guy... - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:13 pm:
Oh man, 3 weeks ago jobs were growing faster than we could handle. Now, not so much. Mark Twain was right about statistics.
- walker - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 2:48 pm:
Government has been cutting jobs in Illinois for some time now.
Why can’t I find one Republican neighbor or acquaintance who believes that? Or even one Republican pol who will admit it publicly?
We wonder why we are so ideologically-driven? Because facts are not allowed to get in the way in our common discourse.
The same failure to see and admit reality occurs with challenges faced by small and medium Illinois businesses, for the Dems.
- Johnny Utah - Thursday, Nov 20, 14 @ 3:01 pm:
Walker:
Local governments and federal have been cutting in IL. State gov’t jobs have grown slightly.
The release does not mention the change in the number of people employed.