THE STATE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPPED JUST SLIGHTLY LAST MONTH.

THE MAY JOBLESS RATE CAME IN AT 6.4%, DOWN FROM 6.6% IN APRIL. STATE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ANALYST EVELINA LOESCHER SAYS ILLINOIS ALSO EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF 2500 JOBS LAST MONTH.

THE BIGGEST JOB LOSSES WERE IN EDUCATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES, GOVERNMENT AND MANUFACTURING. JOBS WERE ADDED IN THE FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES AND PROFESSIONAL AND BUSINESS SERVICES SECTORS.

LOESCHER SAYS JOB GROWTH IS STILL LAGGING BEHIND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND LESS PEOPLE ARE LOOKING FOR WORK IN ILLINOIS. THE NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE FOR MAY WAS 4.7%.