Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in February for the eleventh consecutive month according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in all fourteen metro areas.

“We are encouraged by Illinois’ sustained growth across the economy,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “Job seekers are finding new opportunities across the state, and Illinois is ready to support them with resources that will continue strengthening Illinois’ workforce.”

Iroquois and Ford County unemployment numbers were at 5.5%, down from 6.5^ last February while Ford County was at 4.4%, down from last year’s 5.8 percent.
Kankakee County was listed at 6.5%, down from8.1 percent in 2021.

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