CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The latest numbers from the state and federal governments show what effect the pandemic has had on the workforce in Illinois.
In November 2019, the jobless rate in Illinois was at 3.4%.
Last month, it was at 6.5%.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said there were 417,000 fewer non-farm jobs in the state last month compared to November of last year.
In the Chicago area, the number of jobs dropped 7.1%.
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In Elgin, which is listed separately from the rest of the Chicago area, the decline was 9.3%.
In the Rockford area, the number of jobs fell 8.1%.
The latest report comes as unemployment benefits for millions of Americans lapsed overnight as President Donald Trump refused to sign an end-of-year COVID relief and spending bill that had been considered a done deal before his sudden objections.
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The fate of the bipartisan package remained in limbo Sunday as Trump continued to demand larger COVID relief checks and complained about “pork” spending. Without the widespread funding provided by the massive measure, a government shutdown would occur when money runs out at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.
House Republicans on Thursday blocked a Democratic effort that increased the amount of stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000 per Trump’s insistence.
Emergency aid such as unemployment benefits, eviction protections, and the smaller $600 checks are at risk. Trump’s refusal of the $900 billion package, which is linked to $1.4 trillion government funds bill, could spark a federal shutdown at midnight Monday.