Unemployment rates in Illinois increased slightly from September to October, but are still lower than those recorded at the same time in 2011, according to new figures released last week.
October local unemployment rates fell in every metro area compared to last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
In Romeoville, unemployment was logged at 8.2 percent in September and 7.7 percent in October, an increase of .3 percent. However, when compared to October 2011, when the number was at 9.2 percent, there was an overall drop of 1 percent year to year.
Will County's overall numbers are lower, but reflect the same trend. They came in at 8.1 percent in October, 7.7 percent in September and 9.5 percent in October 2011.
"Falling unemployment rates across our state and the lowest October rates since 2008 show that that our steady economic progress continues," IDES Director Jay Rowell said in a news release. "We now look to Congress to address the fiscal cliff. If not resolved, our future economic progress will be in jeopardy."
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 increased from 8.1 percent in September 2012 to 8.4 percent in October. Compared to October 2011, unemployment in Illinois has dropped 1.2 percent.
The U.S. average unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in October 2012.
KENDALL/WEST WILL
| Oct. 2012 | Sept. 2012 | Oct. 2011 | % Change Over Month | % Change Over Year | |
| Bolingbrook (Will County portion) | 7.9 | 7.4 | 9.1 | 0.5 | -1.2 |
| Joliet | 9.9 | 9.5 | 11.7 | 0.4 | -1.8 |
| Naperville (Will County portion) | 7.1 | 6.4 | 7.8 | 0.7 | -0.7 |
| Oswego | 7.4 | 6.7 | 8.2 | 0.7 | -0.8 |
| Plainfield | 6.9 | 6.5 | 8.1 | 0.4 | -1.2 |
| Romeoville | 8.2 | 7.9 | 9.2 | 0.3 | -1.0 |
| Kendall County | 7.1 | 6.6 | 8.3 | 0.5 | -1.2 |
| Will County | 8.1 | 7.7 | 9.5 | 0.4 | -1.4 |
| Illinois | 8.4 | 8.1 | 9.6 | 0.3 | -1.2 |
| U.S. Average | 7.5 | 7.6 | 8.5 | -0.1 | -1.0 |