By Paul Merrion
June 19, 2014
Illinois unemployment was down to 7.5 percent in May, but Cook County and Illinois in general continue to lag the nation in job growth and wages, according to a comprehensive census report.
Based on preliminary data, the state’s unemployment rate dropped from 7.9 percent in April, the third consecutive monthly decline and the lowest it’s been since November 2008, the Illinois Department of Employment Securityannounced today.
But a new census report also released today said that Cook County gained only 27,500 jobs, an increase of 1.1 percent, between December 2012 and December 2013, which was the smallest increase among the 10 largest counties.
By comparison, statewide employment was up 1.0 percent during that time and jobs grew 1.8 percent nationwide.