Spokesman Tom Austin says the number of people working rose by 7,000, with the biggest increase, 3,000, in the category of Leisure and Hospitality.
"Leisure and Hospitality has continued to see growth over the last year or so as people continue to do activities that take them on the road and travel. And so local communities are meeting those needs."
Other increases occurred in Government and Retail Trade. The largest decline during the past year was in Education and Health Services - that category lost 1,200 jobs.
The highest September unemployment rates were reported in Knox County at 5 per cent and 5.6 per cent in Galesburg. The lowest rates, 3.2 per cent occurred in both Mercer and Henderson counties.
