December jobless rates fell in most of Illinois' metropolitan areas compared to the previous year.

Figures released Friday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security show that rates fell in 9 of the state's 12 metro areas compared to December of 2011.

Bloomington-Normal had the lowest unemployment rate, at 6.3%, compared to 6.9% a year earlier

The Davenport-Moline-Rock Island area was second-lowest, at 7.1%, followed by Springfield at 7.2%, and Champaign-Urbana at 7.4%.

Unemployment fell to 11.2% in Rockford, 10.5% in Kankakee-Bradley, 8.6% in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, 8.5% in the Lake County-Kenosha area and 8.3% in Illinois' St. Louis metro area.

Three metropolitan areas saw increases. Decatur was up to 11.8%, Danville to 10.4% and Peoria to 8.3%.