llinois businesses placed more than 212,000 "help wanted" ads online in September. Most of the ads were seeking full-time workers.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security said Tuesday the leading metropolitan areas where there were jobs being advertised were Chicago, Bloomington/Peoria, Decatur/Springfield and Rockford. The information comes from the Conference Board, an independent business membership and research group.

Employment Security Department Director Jay Rowell says the volume of help wanted ads has been consistent and is "a strong signal" of continuing need for workers.

The department manages a help-wanted website where workers can apply for many of the listed jobs. The IllinoisJobLink.com site features a "Resume Builder" tool to assist people in preparing a resume.