THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED IN ALL 14 METRO AREAS LAST MONTH, COMPARED TO YEAR AGO LEVELS. >>>

ALL BUT THREE METRO AREAS SAW THE JOBLESS RATE DROP BY AT LEAST ONE PERCENT COMPARED TO DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR SAYS ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY SPOKESPERSON BOB GOUGH AS FOR JOB GROWTH...

GOUGH NOTES THAT MOST METRO AREAS SAW JOB NUMBERS INCREASE IN MANUFACTURING, CONSTRUCTION AND TRANSPORTATION LAST MONTH.

KANKAKEE UNEMPLOYMENT IN DECEMBER WAS 5.3%...down from 6.5% IN 2016. IROQUOIS COUNTY IS LISTED AT 4.3%, DOWN FROM 6.1% IN DECEMBER OF 2016. 

ILLINOIS BUSINESSES ADDED JOBS IN NINE METRO AREAS, WITH THE LARGEST INCREASES IN KANKAKEE at just under 3%.

94.1 WGFA