Local

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.”

The United States Postal Service announced Thursday that it will soon begin consolidating dozens of mail processing facilities across the country. Part of Rockford's operations will be transferred to the Carol Stream distribution center. The other half will be absorbed by the facility in Palatine.

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