The unemployment rate in the Rockford area jumped last month compared to the same time the year before. The Illinois Department of Employment Security says December unemployment in Winnebago and Boone counties stood at 7.2 %, up from 6.9 % in December 2014. Across Illinois, only the Decatur area had a higher jobless rate. Rockford also suffered a net loss of 300 jobs from the previous year.
The department says jobs decreased in six of the state's metro areas and unemployment rose in eleven. Illinois' not seasonally adjusted rate was 5.9 % compared to 5.8 % in Dec. 2014 with a total net loss over the year of 1,600 jobs.
