Stagnant National Growth Squeezes Illinois Labor Market

Unemployment at 9.9 Percent; 3,100 Jobs Added in August

CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—September 16, 2011.  The Illinois seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August increased to 9.9 percent, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Illinois added +3,100 jobs in August, while nationally there was zero job growth because reductions in government employment offset private sector gains. The national unemployment rate for August was unchanged…