Local unemployment rates down again

CHICAGO – Statewide and local unemployment rates made a small decrease, but are now back to similar numbers seen in the spring. Local rates have remained steady throughout the summer, but the reduction experienced for the month of August takes numbers back even further to those of May, when tri-county rates were nearly cut in half. According to the Illinois Department of Employment, Putnam and Bureau counties have the lowest unemployment rates around at 3.9%. LaSalle County now falls at 4.4% compared to nearly 5% in July. Statewide unemployment rates have only dwindled since May, now at 4%.