State's jobless rate creeps up to 10.3 percent in June

CHICAGO - The statewide unemployment rate for June is 10.3 percent, an increase of 0.2 percent over May, according to figures released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

"Although the June unemployment figure has again increased, this number represents a slower pace of job loss for the third consecutive month," IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell said in a statement. "The first part of an economic recovery is actually a slower pace of job loss. Positive news is on the horizon, but it's too soon to tell when we will begin to see job growth."

Total non-farm payroll in Illinois declined by 13,900 jobs in June. While Illinois has lost jobs for nine consecutive months, the rate of that decline has slowed for three consecutive months. The number of unemployed people reached 683,300, the highest since November 1983.

The construction sector lost 5,400 jobs in June, its largest monthly job loss this year. Employment in the manufacturing sector declined 2,800. Although that represents the 17th consecutive month the sector has shed jobs, it is the smallest decline in the last eight months. The professional and business services sector reported its strongest gain in the last 24 months, adding 2,400 workers in June.

Nationally, the June unemployment rate increased slightly to 9.5 percent, up 0.1 percent. That is its highest level in more than 25 years. Total number of unemployed workers reached 14.7 million. Total non-farm payroll fell for the 18th consecutive month in June (down 467,000), bringing total national job losses to 6.5 million since the onset of the recession in December 2007. The national employment decline continues to be dominated by the manufacturing, professional and business services, and construction sectors, dropping by 1.9, 1.5, and 1.3 million jobs respectively since December 2007.