State Jobless Rate Hits 9.1 Percent, Highest In 23 Years

CHICAGO (AP) -- Illinois' unemployment rate hit 9.1 percent in March, the highest it's been in almost 24 years.

That compares to 8.6 percent last month and marks the sixth month in a row with an increase.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says 27,400 more Illinoisans lost jobs in March. Almost half were in manufacturing.

The total number of unemployed now stands at 596,000, the most since September 1983.

The national unemployment rate was 8.5 percent in March.

IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell says her office is encouraging laid-off workers to use their time to learn new skills so they can get a better job once the economy improves.

Comments

[slowhand0728]

And according to CNN, IL recieved 50 Billion from the Stimulous package, has it not reached them yet? What is going on with that Money?

[garystartswithg]

i think it takes a while to deliver and spend 50 billion -- unless you are paulson and his friends at goldman sachs making up rules as you spend.