The new year started with an increase in unemployment.
Tom Austin, from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, says January's rate in the Quad Cities was 7.1 percent, compared to 6.5 percent a year ago.
The Quad Cities also lost jobs in wholesale trade, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. But it gained jobs in professional and business services.
The 7.1 percent unemployment rate means 13,600 people were out of work in January and looking for jobs. It was also an increase from December's rate of 5.9 percent.
According to the state of Illinois, the unemployment rate rose in 13 metropolitan areas in January and declined in only one.
