Unemployment is up in the Bloomington-Normal area, with 4,650 people out of work, the Illinois Department of Employment Security reported Thursday.
Area unemployment increased to now 4.9% in March, up from 4.2% a year ago. That's little change from IDES's report from February 2019 showing unemployment for the area at 4.8%.
The agency reports the state unemployment rate is 4.5%.
Nonfarm jobs in the Bloomington MSA decreased by 1,600 compared to last year, according to the report. That’s the greatest annual decrease across the state and down an additional 300 jobs from last month's report.
Government and professional and business service industries saw job gains while financial activities, manufacturing, construction, retail trade, and information all saw job losses.
The Bloomington MSA includes McLean and DeWitt counties.
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