Illinois Unemployment Rate Drops in April

The April unemployment rate in Illinois fell to 9.3% from 9.5% in March, according to preliminary data released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The April rate is still up from one year earlier.  The April 2012 jobless rate was 8.8%.

The statistics show 2,000 fewer jobs over the month, but 40,300 more jobs than one year earlier.

Leading growth sectors are professional and business services, education and health services, and trade, transportation and utilities.  Government has lost the most jobs.