Unemployment Declines in Ogle, Lee and DeKalb Counties in July

SPRINGFIELD — Unemployment fell across all 12 Illinois metro areas in July, including declines in Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties, according to state labor officials. Ogle County’s rate dropped to 4.3% from 4.9% a year earlier, Lee County fell to 4.6% from 5.4%, and DeKalb County declined to 4.5% from 5.1%. The statewide rate decreased to 4.8% from 5.7% as Illinois recorded year-over-year job growth in Chicago, Champaign, Springfield and Rockford, while Peoria, Bloomington and Davenport-Moline-Rock Island posted losses.