There was little change in unemployment in the Quad Cities last month. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the rate moved up just one-tenth of a per cent - from 3.8 per cent a year ago, to 3.9 per cent in April.
Despite the small increase, spokesman Tom Austin says it's still good news.
"The numbers behind that still point to some positive signs - with increased number of people working in the labor force, growth in our non-farm payrolls, and your unemployment was, of all the Illinois MSA's (metropolitan statistical areas), was second lowest."
The number of jobs in the Quad Cities grew in construction, manufacturing, and professional and business services, but we lost some jobs in retail and government.
And the April unemployment rate of 3.9 per cent means about 7,600 people were out of work and looking for jobs.
The lowest rate in April was 3.6 per cent in Chicago and its suburbs, while the highest jobless rates occurred Rockford, Decatur, and Danville - all above 5 per cent.
