Unemployment Low
June 1, 2011
It seems it is time once again to report on the areas unemployment rate. Headlines tell us “Lowest point since 2008”. This is certainly good news.
According to data released by the Illinois Department of Unemployment Security, the unemployment rate in Boone and Winnebago counties was 11.9% in April. That is 20,094 people and down 1.4% from March. Also down 3.8% from April 2010.
Companies added 1,500 jobs from March to April this year, and 1.800 jobs from April 2010 to April 2011. The breakdown in specific industries is as follows:
Manufacturing: 900 employees added
Business/Service Field: 700 employees added
Trade/Transportation/Utilities: 600 employees added
The Business/Service Field includes staffing firms that provide employees to a variety of organizations.
Nevertheless, this is a positive indication of organizations feeling profitable and confident enough to hire, even if it is a temporary basis. Hopefully these will transition to permanent employees, however, at this time let us be encouraged by this hiring trend.
Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to work we go!!!
