THE ILLINOIS UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DECLINED SLIGHTLY IN JULY…TO FIVE POINT EIGHT PERCENT.

DESPITE THE DROP IN THE JOBLESS RATE AND A GAIN OF 19 HUNDRED JOBS LAST MONTH…ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ANALYST EVELINA LOESCHER SAYS GROWTH OVERALL HAS BEEN SLUGGISH.

[audio:82215102459-idesjuly1.mp3] [/audio]

GROWTH WAS SEEN IN JULY IN CONSTRUCTION, LEISURE AND HOSPITALITY AND IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT JOBS.

[audio:82215102500-idesjuly2.mp3] [/audio]

JULY JOB LOSSES WERE SEEN IN PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES, EDUCATION AND HEALTH SERVICES AND IN MANUFACTURING