Unemployment Falls in Ogle, Lee and DeKalb Counties

SPRINGFIELD — Unemployment rates fell in 11 of 12 Illinois metro areas in April, with Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties seeing significant year-over-year declines, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Ogle County’s unemployment dropped to 3.5% from 5.0%, Lee County fell to 3.4% from 4.6%, and DeKalb County also reported 3.4%, down from 4.4%. The Rockford metro area, which includes Ogle and parts of surrounding counties, saw its overall rate fall to 4.2%, while total nonfarm jobs increased by 1,200 over the year. Statewide, the Illinois section of the St. Louis metro area hit a record low unemployment rate of 2.9%, while the Chicago metro division was the only region to see an increase, rising to 5.1%. Industries showing the most job growth across the state included private education and health services, government, and construction.