© 2024 WVIK
Listen at 90.3 FM and 98.3 FM in the Quad Cities, 95.9 FM in Dubuque, or on the WVIK app!
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Economy

QC Jobless Rate 5.6% in August

Jobless rate graphic

The loss of manufacturing jobs in the Quad Cities continues to affect other parts of the local economy.

Michelle O'Neill reports last month, the unemployment rate rose to 5.6% compared to 5.3% a year ago.

Summary

Tom Austin, from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, says this trend has been going on for most of this year. And it's related to the state of agriculture around the world.

The Quad Cities has lost a total of 5,900 jobs over the last year. Payrolls only increased in two sectors: 400 jobs were added in government and 200 in construction.

The 5.6% August jobless rate represents about 10,700 people out of work and looking for jobs.

(Source of graph data: Illinois Department of Employment Security)

Officially, Michelle's title for 28 years was WVIK News Editor. She did everything there is to do in the newsroom and whatever was needed around the radio station. She also served as Acting News Director from September 2023 - January 2024.
Related Content