With an unemployment rate of 6%, Springfield and Bloomington-Normal are tied for lowest in Illinois.
IDES Director Jay Rowell says the employment picture is improving statewide and is touting an often overlooked resource for those searching for work.
“We are really encouraging folks to go to illinoisjoblink.com and reinvigorate their job search. There are more than 150,000 jobs listed from around the state and 85% are full-time,” says Rowell. “Don’t get me wrong, we need to do more. The recovery is not reaching everyone’s door.”
The areas showing the most growth in the Springfield area include retail, healthcare and, the construction industry. Rowell says the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been since 2008.