CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) __ Detailed statewide Illinois unemployment
figures for April provide an early look at the effects of floods
along the Ohio River that started late last month.
Figures for the state’s metro areas and counties released
Thursday by the Department of Employment Security show Alexander
County was the only Illinois county where the jobless rate rose in
April.
Alexander County’s unemployment was 10.3 percent. That’s up from
9.8 percent a year earlier. The county seat is Cairo. The small
town was evacuated and Mayor Tyrone Coleman said the local economy
shut down.
Statewide all 12 Illinois metro areas had decreases in April
unemployment. The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville jobless rate dropped to
8.7 percent from 10.7 a year earlier.
Earlier this month officials said April statewide unemployment
dropped from 8.8 percent to 8.7.

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press