Illinois Jobless Rate Holds Steady in September

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois’ unemployment rate held at 4.4 percent in September while nonfarm payroll jobs fell by about 22 hundred, according to state labor officials. The number of unemployed residents was 287 thousand, a drop from the prior month and a double digit decrease compared to one year earlier. State officials said the September report was released later than usual due to the recent federal government shutdown.