April 21--The jobless rate rose in the Chicago area and across the state in March, as more people entered the labor force, according to a report Thursday from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
It was the second consecutive month in which the unemployment rate increased, despite job growth in the Chicago area and elsewhere.
"Unemployment rates increased in more than half of the metro areas even though they experienced job growth," department Director Jeff Mays said in a statement. "The increase in the unemployment rate was largely due to more people entering the labor force."
In the Chicago area, the unemployment rate for March rose to 6.6 percent, up from 6.0 percent a year ago. Total nonfarm jobs increased by 65,500, or 1.8 percent, over the same time period.
Statewide, the Illinois unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in March, up from 6.0 percent a year ago. The national unemployment rate for March was 5.1 percent.
Danville had the highest unemployment rate in the state, at 8.4 percent, compared with 6.8 percent in March 2015.
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metropolitan areas, with the largest increases in the Lake County/Kenosha, Rockford and Elgin areas. Businesses lost jobs in six metro areas, including Bloomington, Danville and the Quad Cities.
There were 79,100 more jobs statewide than a year ago, according to the report, with growth in education and health services, leisure and hospitality, retail, government and several other industry sectors.
rchannick@tribpub.com
