News

The April unemployment rate in Illinois fell for the eighth consecutive month to reach8.7 percent, according to federal and state preliminary data released today.

The last time the unemployment rate was below 8.7 percent was February 2009, when it was 8.5 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

“April marks eight consecutive months of falling unemployment rates,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “In each of the past three months, Illinois has added, on average, 6,300 new jobs. Mild swings in the monthly data have been the hallmark of this recovery, and we expect that trend to continue.”

• Next Sheley trial postponed to September
• Illinois gets $150,000 of Skechers settlement
• Cities don’t want to fund teacher pensions
• Library begins offering e-readers
• Restoring child-care funds advances
• Cites gain in electricity savings
• Schilling makes good use of perk he slammed

Senate plan would eventually raise the state wage to $10.55. Critics say the plan would put a squeeze on business owners.

Illinois is in the process of bolstering requirements for teacher evaluations. The changes come amid a national discussion about separating guidelines for evaluating special-education teachers.