More working in SE Illinois | News

From the Illinois Department of Workforce Security:

Workforce conditions remained stable at the end of the summer of 2012 in Southern Illinois. Unemployment decreased in 17 of the 21 counties compared to one year ago. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

Employment gains were reported in Leisure‑Hospitality, Transportation, and Professional-Business Services. Expansions at medical facilities caused payrolls to increase in Health Care Services.

The start of a new school year renewed Education payrolls and students began leaving the job market to return to the classroom in mid-August 2012. Significant building projects continued on schools, medical facilities and highways. Many of the sizable high school and elementary school construction projects were completed in time for the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

Illinois has added +151,200 private sector jobs since January 2010 when job growth returned to Illinois following nearly two years of monthly declines. The data is seasonally adjusted. Since January 2010, leading growth sectors in Illinois are Professional and Business Services (+75,000); Manufacturing (+44,900) and Educational and Health Services (+37,700). Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down -34,300.