Evanston’s jobless rate declined to 10% last month from a revised 13% rate in June according to figures released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security this noon.

But the decline in the jobless rate was split between nearly 1,300 more people reporting they had found jobs, and nearly 1,500 dropping out of the labor force.

June had marked the highest level of unemployment in Evanston during the pandemic so far and the July figure was still triple the jobless rate here a year ago.

Unemployment figures for the metro area and the state as a whole also declined in July and by margins similar to the decline in Evanston.

Skokie’s jobless rate was 14.1% in July, down from a revised 18.4% in June. Wilmette’s jobless rate was 8% last month, down from a revised 10.6% in June.

Bill Smith is the editor and publisher of Evanston Now.

Leave a comment

The goal of our comment policy is to make the comments section a vibrant yet civil space. Treat each other with respect — even the people you disagree with. Whenever possible, provide links to credible documentary evidence to back up your factual claims.