Unemployment jumped by more than one point from December to January in this area. LaSalle County’s went from 4.8% to 6.2%. Bureau County’s was 4.4% in December and 5.6% in January. Putnam County’s was 4.7% in December and 6.0% in January. Combining the three counties, the rate climbed from 4.7% to 6.0%. Grundy County’s jumped from 4.6% to 6.3%.
We asked the Illinois Department of Employment Security shortly after the St. Margaret’s Health layoffs if they happened early enough in January to be reflected in that month’s statistics. We haven’t received a reply. The commonly cited reason for unemployment rate increases from December to January is post-Christmas seasonal layoffs.