Illinois' unemployment rate continues to drop. That would seem to be good news, but the governor sees a dark cloud in that silver lining.
For the past 16 months, Illinois' unemployment rate has continually declined. The latest figures show numbers falling in every metro area. Statewide, the rate's 5.9-percent.
Good news for the economy, right? Not necessarily, says Gov. Bruce Rauner.
"The primary reason unfortunately for our unemployment rate falling has been many of those jobs have left, and then the folks have left," he says. "And they've stopped looking for work or they've moved to other states to get jobs. That’s a horrible reason to have an unemployment rate fall."
That stance is in keeping with the Republican's agenda, which calls for pro-business laws and weaker labor unions; Rauner says that'll create long-term growth. Democrats are against his plans; that dispute is at the center of the ongoing budget feud.
Illinois' Dept. of Employment Securityreports the state's labor force is down by 33,600 people since the start of the year.
