Illinois Led the Midwest in Job Creation in September and Had Second Best Growth in Nation; Unemployment Rate Has Dropped More Than Any Other State in the Last Year
CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today issued a statement regarding the latest economic information released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The information made available today showed that last month Illinois led the Midwest - and was second in the nation - in job creation. It also found that Illinois has seen the nation's largest drop in unemployment over the last year. In September, Illinois' unemployment rate dropped for the seventh consecutive month, from 6.7 to 6.6 percent, the lowest level since June 2008 and down from 11.4 percent at the peak of the recession. In the last two months Illinois employers have created more than 40,000 jobs.
"Today's news shows that the Illinois economy is making a comeback. We are making the tough decisions necessary to drive economic growth and the statistics released today show that Illinois is moving in the right direction.
"Illinois has seen the nation's sharpest decline in unemployment over the last year, and our unemployment rate is at its lowest point in more than six years.
"Last month Illinois had the second best job growth in America. Illinois employers have added more than 300,000 jobs since the recovery began.
"It is clear that Illinois' economy is growing stronger every day, and we have more work to do. Let's keep our shoulder to the wheel."
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