Cook County, Illinois Unemployment Figures Drop Slightly
Unemployment rates fell more sharply from this time last year.
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Unemployment rates in Illinois dropped slightly from October 2012 to November, to 8.2 percent, and are a full percentage point compared to 2011, according to new figures released last week.
Cook County experienced drops similar to Illinois' during the same time periods.
November local unemployment rates fell in 11 of 12 metro areas compared to last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
"The trend of falling unemployment rates across Illinois shows that our economy continues to improve," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "The largest challenge to local economic growth is the fiscal cliff. Economic progress could slow at every level and we risk another recession if Congress does not work together to craft a solution."
Earlier this week, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which aims to increase taxes on the wealthy and also extends expiring jobless benefits.
IDES generally reports unemployment figures for municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more people. The numbers measure unemployment for residents who live in a certain town, not those who work in the town.
Statewide the unemployment rate dropped from 8.4 percent in October 2012 to 8.2 percent in November. Compared to October 2011, unemployment in Illinois has dropped 1 percent.
The U.S. average unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in November 2012.
SOUTHLAND
| Nov. 2012 | Oct. 2012 | Nov. 2011 | % Change Over Month | % Change Over Year | |
| Chicago Heights | 12.3 | 11.9 | 15.2 | 0.4 | -2.9 |
| Evergreen Park | 9.0 | 9.3 | 10.8 | -0.3 | -1.8 |
| Oak Forest | 8.1 | 7.9 | 9.1 | 0.2 | -1.0 |
| Oak Lawn | 8.1 | 8.5 | 9.7 | -0.4 | -1.6 |
| Orland Park | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.8 | -0.3 | -1.1 |
| Tinley Park | 6.9 | 7.2 | 8.0 | -0.3 | -1.1 |
| Cook County | 8.8 | 9.0 | 10.0 | -0.2 | -1.2 |
| Will County | 8.1 | 8.1 | 9.3 | 0.0 | -1.2 |
| Illinois | 8.2 | 8.4 | 9.2 | -0.2 | -1.0 |
| U.S. Average | 7.4 | 7.5 | 8.2 | -0.1 |
-0.8 |
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Bob
3:37 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Nick, when are you going to give the whole story? The unemployment rate is "dropping" only because there are fewer people seeking jobs. Our labor participation rate is the lowest it's been in three decades. The job market is FAR worse than it was 4 years ago, just ask any one of those who've given up trying to find a job or the many who are forced to have several low paid part time jobs instead of one job with benefits due to the Obamacare penalties on full time jobs.
Do a little research, buddy, and PLEASE stop trying to mislead about governmental failure to improve job oportunities!