The jobless rates in central-Illinois counties and throughout the state continue to decline. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports it's another reflection of an improving economy.

All 102 counties in the state saw drops in jobless rates in June when compared to June 2013. This is also the third conservative month that IDES has reported similar drops for all metro areas in the state.

Spokesman Greg Rivara says "That's significant given how diverse the state is." Rivara said "It reflects the progress that is being made with people going back to work."

The unemployment rate and the number of jobs can often move in different directions because the numbers collected are from two different surveys, Rivara said.
The Illinois jobless rate for June was 7.1 percent, down from 9.8 percent in June 2013, according to IDES. The national rate was 6.3 percent in June, down from 7.8 percent a year earlier.

Area counties and their June 2014 (June 2013) rates include: Ford, 6.2 percent (8.8); Iroquois, 6.1 percent (8); Livingston, 6.9 percent (8.8).

94.1 WGFA