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Illinois Adds More Than 19,000 Jobs

Illinois Department of Employment Security

The addition of more than 19,000 jobs last month marks the second largest increase in the nation. 

Illinois trailed only Texas in month over month employment.   According to the state Department of Employment Security, the biggest gains came in  professional and business services. 

That includes more accounting jobs which have increased in the Chicago area.  Transportation and utilities also showed more hiring.  Manufacturing and construction jobs were off a bit in September. 

Illinois also saw the largest unemployment rate decrease in the nation, as the overall jobless rate in the past year for the state dropped two and half percentage points, and now stands at 6.6  percent.   In September of last year, the rate was above nine percent.