Illinois in August added a fifth consecutive month of across-the-board unemployment declines in its 12 metro areas.
The state Department of Employment Security says the jobless rate in the Springfield metro area was 6.5 percent last month. A year earlier it was 7.6 percent.
Steep drops were also seen in the Rockford area where unemployment fell from 11.4 percent a year earlier to 9.4 percent. Danville’s jobless rate dropped from 12.2 percent in August 2013 to 9.7 percent last month. Decatur, one year ago, stood at 12.5 percent — highest in the state. It’s now measured at 9.4 percent, tied for second highest with Rockford.
Department Director Jay Rowell said the trend will be interesting to watch as employers add seasonal workers in the next few months.