The tight labor market seems to have eased a bit in the local area. From October to November, unemployment went up slightly. State figures out Thursday show a 4.7% rate for LaSalle County in November, up from 4.6% in October. The rate climbed from 4.0% to 4.2% in Bureau County, 4.3% to 4.4% in Putnam County, and 3.9% to 4.3% in Grundy county. From October to November last year, the local unemployment rates held steady or went down.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security says over the year, the area lost 325 jobs. Trade-transportation-utilities, educational-health services, and professional business services, had losses. Government and other services had gains.