Politics & Government

Unemployment Rate Falls in DuPage County

The unemployment rate fell from October 2012 to November 2012, and from November 2011 to November 2012.

The jobless rate in DuPage County dropped from 6.9 percent to 6.7 percent from October 2012 to November 2012, nearly a full percentage point lower than the county's 7.5 percent rate from November 2011.

Unemployment rates in Illinois overall dropped slightly from October to November, to 8.2 percent, and are a full percentage point lower than in November 2011, according to new figures released last week. 

November local unemployment rates fell in 11 of 12 metro areas compared to last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"The trend of falling unemployment rates across Illinois shows that our economy continues to improve," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "The largest challenge to local economic growth is the fiscal cliff. Economic progress could slow at every level and we risk another recession if Congress does not work together to craft a solution."

Earlier this week, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which aims to increase taxes on the wealthy and also extends expiring jobless benefits.

Find out what's happening in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hillswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

IDES generally reports unemployment figures for municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more people. The numbers measure unemployment for residents who live in a certain town, not those who work in the town. 

Statewide the unemployment rate dropped from 8.4 percent in October 2012 to 8.2 percent in November. Compared to October 2011, unemployment in Illinois has dropped 1 percent. 

The U.S. average unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in November 2012. 

DUPAGE

Nov. 2012 Oct. 2012 Nov. 2011 % Change Over Month % Change Over Year Bolingbrook (DuPage portion) 8.6 7.9 7.6 0.7 1.0 Downers Grove 6.6 6.9 6.9 -0.3 -0.3 Elmhurst 6.3 6.6 6.5 -0.3 -0.2 Glen Ellyn 6.0 6.2 6.6 -0.2 -0.6 Naperville (DuPage portion) 6.4 6.6 7.0 -0.2 -0.6 St. Charles (DuPage portion) 3.1 2.4 5.2 0.7 -2.1 Wheaton 6.0 6.4 6.7 -0.4 -0.7 Woodridge 7.3 7.5 8.1 -0.2 -0.8 DuPage County 6.7 6.9 7.5 -0.2 -0.8 Illinois 8.2 8.4 9.2 -0.2 -1.0 U.S. Average 7.4 7.5 8.2 -0.1 -0.8


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