Illinois unemployment rate falls again in July

CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois unemployment fell in July to 6.8 percent, the fifth straight monthly decrease in the state’s jobless rate and a six-year low, according to figures released Thursday by the state Department of Employment Security.

The July figure represents a drop from 9.2 percent one year ago and marks the largest year-over-year decline since 1984. The last time the rate was lower than 6.8 was in August 2008 when it was 6.7. There are 35,600 more jobs than one year ago.