Illinois returns to double-digit unemployment rate

Signaling an end to 12 straight months of single-digit unemployment, the Illinois jobless rate crept to 10 percent in September -- an increase of a tenth of a percentage point over August.

Illinois Department of Employment Security data shows the unemployment rise occurred despite the addition of 1,600 jobs last month.

The discrepancy indicates frustrated job-seekers have suspended the search for new employment. 

Unemployment rates reflect the percentage of the workforce that has applied for job benefits in a given month.

People working involuntarily in part-time jobs, the underemployed and the segment of the population that has stopped looking for work are not included in state and federal government employment figures.

The overall jobless rate swells to over 16 percent when those categories are added to the equation.

IDES director Jay Rowell said the September numbers are "not surprising." 

"Job growth at this stage in the economic cycle is often accompanied by a slight increase in the employment rate," Rowell said in a statement. "But a broader confidence must be restored at the national level before individual states will show greater wide-spread growth." 

The Illinois unemployment rate had shown steady gains since peaking at 11.2 percent in January, 2010. At one point earlier this year, state joblessness  dipped to 8.7 percent.

Attempting to brighten the picture, the labor agency noted the state has added 81,000 jobs in the 22 months since unemployment hit 11.2 percent.

Still, the IDES reports 663,300 Illlnois residents  collected unemployment benefits in August.

Nationally, unemployment stands at 9.1 percent.

The September jobless rate in Missouri came in at 8.7 percent, a 31-month low. - http://goo.gl/xX9ik

Unpaid Regional Superintendent Of Schools Resigns After Going 14 Weeks Without Pay

TAYLORVILLE, Ill. (AP) - A central Illinois regional school superintendent has announced his resignation after going without pay for 14 weeks. Christian and Montgomery County Regional Superintendent of Schools Tom Campbell on Wednesday told the Breeze Courierin Taylorville he can't continue. Campbell blames "political decisions made by our governor" for taking "a tremendous toll" on his ability to "stay positive and focused on remaining in office." In July, Gov. Pat Quinn cut off pay to superintendents and their assistants. He says the state can't afford to pay the salaries. Quinn wants local governments to pay the salaries, but made no arrangements before vetoing the money. Campbell says the decisions by state leaders show "total disrespect" for those who work in regional education offices in Illinois. Taylorville is about 25 miles southeast of Springfield. - http://goo.gl/60s5G

Illinois Jobless Rate Hits Ten-Percent

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (AP) - Unemployment in Illinois rose in September for a fifth straight month and hit ten-percent for the first time since August 2010. The state Department of Employment Security on Thursday blamed continued weakness in consumer confidence across the country for the increase. The federal government earlier this month said national unemployment for September was 9.1-percent. That was unchanged from August. The state rate was 9.9-percent in August.The Department of Employment Security says Illinois employers created 1,600 new jobs in September. But the number of unemployed people increased to 663,300. That's 10,500 more than in August. The biggest job gains were among educational and health services employers, which added 4,900 jobs. Construction-related employers cut 3,000 jobs. - http://goo.gl/d7BAE