The Illinois unemployment rate continues to drop, which would seem to be good news. But Gov. Bruce Rauner sees a dark cloud in that silver lining.
For the past 16 months, the state's unemployment rate has continually declined. The latest figures show numbers falling in every metro area. Statewide, the rate is 5.9 percent.
Good news for the economy, right? Not necessarily, says Rauner.
"The primary reason, unfortunately, for our unemployment rate falling has been many of those jobs have left, and then the folks have left," Rauner said. "And they've stopped looking for work or they've moved to other states to get jobs. That’s a horrible reason to have an unemployment rate fall."
That stance is in keeping with the Republican governor's agenda, which calls for pro-business laws and weaker labor unions; Rauner says that will create long-term growth. Democrats are against his plans; that dispute is at the center of the continuing budget feud.
The Illinois Dept. of Employment Security reports the state's labor force is down by 33,600 people since the start of the year.