State: Job numbers go up, but once again, so does unemployment | WGIL 93.7 FM

Illinois Department of Employment Security

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says federal data indicates the number of jobs available in most areas of the state continues to increase.  But, the unemployment rate in those areas, and Galesburg, are also up.

Preliminary data not seasonally adjusted, but released Thursday, indicates the Galesburg-area unemployment average went up to 5.6% in April, an increase of .6 points from the same time a year ago.  The city’s rate itself sits at 5.8%, up seven-tenths in the same period, and Knox County’s average is at 5.6%, up six tenths.

Other counties in our area also saw year-over-year increases. Both Knox and Mercer Counties are in the state’s list of highest unemployment rates in the state, but both are on the low end of the high side.

“Continued job growth across metro areas and industry sectors position both jobseekers and employers to tap into newly created and expanded opportunities to begin or further career growth,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar, in a news release. “IDES is proud to collaborate with its workforce partners to provide critical employment and reemployment services, including matching workers with hiring employers across the state.”

The state as a whole gained nearly 40,000 jobs year-over-year, but both the Quad Cities and Peoria areas both lost jobs in that period, the Quad Cities more than Peoria.

April, 2024 County Unemployment Rates (in our area)

Knox County:  5.6%
Galesburg City:  5.8%
Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area:  5.6%

Warren County:  4.2%
McDonough County:  4.0%
Mercer County:  5.5%
Peoria County:  5.6%
Fulton County:  4.9%
Henderson County:  3.7%
Henry County:  5.2%

Illinois:  4.4%
United States:  3.5%

(Source:  Illinois Department of Employment Security/Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Rates are not seasonally adjusted and are considered preliminary.)