If you worked in this area year ago and were laid off in the meantime, you most likely worked in the trade-transportation-utilities or educational and health services sector. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says there were 375 fewer jobs in the LaSalle, Bureau, and Putnam counties region in October this year compared to October last year. The region had a 4.5% unemployment rate last month, compared to 4.2% in October last year.
IDES says LaSalle County’s rate went from 4.5% to 4.6% from September to October. Bureau County’s went from 3.8% to 4.0%. And Putnam County’s climbed from 4.1% to 4.3%. All three counties combined went from 4.3% to 4.5%. Grundy County was the exception, going from 4.1% to 3.9%.