Evanston’s jobless rate remained unchanged last month at a multi-year low, while the state and metro area jobless rates declined somewhat.
Figures released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security show the 3.3 percent rate for Evanston — the lowest level in more than six years — was down from 4.9 percent a year ago.
But the Chicago metro jobless rate declined from 4.5 percent in March to 4.2 percent in April and was down from 5.9 percent a year earlier. The statewide jobless rate also fell, from 4.7 percent in March to 4.4 percent in April, down from 5.8 percent a year earlier.
In Evanston last month the size of the labor force shrank by 376 people to 38,775. But the number of people looking for work also fell, though only by 13 people, to a total of 1,281.
Eighteen of the 107 Illinois communities with more than 25,000 residents had jobless rates lower than Evanston’s in March. That’s up from 15 in March.
The state’s lowest jobless rate in April was 2.9 percent in Wilmette. Mount Prospect was at 3.0 percent. Glenview and Highland Park were among four towns at 3.1 percent. Northbrook and Naperville were among a dozen towns tied at 3.2 percent. Skokie was at 3.6 percent.
The IDES figures released today are not seasonally adjusted.