* CNN…

Claims for unemployment benefits inched lower last week, the Department of Labor said Thursday. Still millions of Americans continue to rely on government aid to make ends meet.

Last week, 787,000 workers claimed first-time benefits on a seasonally adjusted basis. That’s down from the prior week, which was revised significantly lower. Last week marked the first time jobless claims fell below 800,000 since mid-March.

But not everyone is eligible for regular state benefits. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which Congress created as part of the CARES Act in the spring, provides benefits for the self-employed and gig workers.

Last week, 345,440 people applied for PUA.

* CBS 2…

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates 47,018 new unemployment claims were filed during the week of Oct. 12 in Illinois, according to the DOL’s weekly claims report released Thursday.

While this number is based on advanced estimates, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will be releasing a final number later Thursday. […]

There were 47,528 new unemployment claims were filed across the state last week, the week of Oct. 5.

There were 29,390 new unemployment claims in Illinois the week of Sept. 21.

*** UPDATE *** IDES…

The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in September, with four metro areas at record low payrolls for that month, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas and posted a record high for the month of September in one metro area. The official, BLS approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.

“As Illinois continues to make necessary adjustments and work through the COVID-19 mitigation plan, the Pritzker administration remains committed to providing unemployment benefits as a means of economic relief to claimants who are still in need of the Department’s services,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “We take our role in this pandemic seriously, and will continue to work with IDES to support working families and provide employment training and services to those who seek it.”

The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-10.5%, -17,900), Elgin (-8.8%, -23,200) and Lake-Kenosha (-7.6%, -32,000). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down 7.2% (-274,200). No industry sector saw job gains in a majority of metro areas.

Not seasonally adjusted data compares September 2020 with September 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 9.8 percent in September 2020 and the highest September unemployment rate since 2011, when it was also 9.8 percent. The official, BLS approved, statewide unemployment rate series begins in 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in September 2020 and the highest September unemployment rate since 2011, when it was 8.8 percent. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.