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Illinois Unemployment Continues to Climb; Manufacturing Takes Big Hit
Illinois' unemployment rate continues to rise as manufacturing and business services continue to struggle.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the seasonally adjusted statewide unemployment rate for April was 9.4 percent, an increase of 0.4 percent over March.

In April, total non-farm payroll declined by 23,100 jobs. Compared to one year ago, employers reduced payroll by 255,400. The department reports 24,500 people became unemployed in April, bringing the statewide unemployment number to 619,500, the highest level since August 1983. April marked the 16th consecutive month that employment fell.

The manufacturing sector in Illinois lost 8,900 jobs in April, bringing the total number of job losses to 77,400 since the recession began in December 2007. The professional and business sector lost 4,700 jobs last month and 78,400 jobs since the recession began. Employment fell in the trade and transportation industry by 5,400 in April, bringing total losses to 50,400. Construction jobs in Illinois fell by 4,800 in April bringing total losses to 39,600.

(Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Radio Network)
05 21 09 by Newsroom
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