Heights Unemployment Dropped Nearly 3 Percent in One Year
Despite a month-to-month increase, the number actually was down significantly from Nov. 2011.
Chicago Heights saw a slight increase in its number of unemployed residents from October to November of 2012, according to new figures released last week. But more surprising may be the nearly three percent drop from November 2011.
Heights unemployment in Nov. 2012 was at more than 12 percent, down from Nov. 2011, when it had reached more than 15 percent.
Unemployment rates in Illinois dropped slightly from October 2012 to November, to 8.2 percent, and are a full percentage point compared to 2011.
November local unemployment rates fell in 11 of 12 metro areas compared to last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
"The trend of falling unemployment rates across Illinois shows that our economy continues to improve," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "The largest challenge to local economic growth is the fiscal cliff. Economic progress could slow at every level and we risk another recession if Congress does not work together to craft a solution."
Earlier this week, President Barack Obama signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act, which aims to increase taxes on the wealthy and also extends expiring jobless benefits.
IDES generally reports unemployment figures for municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more people. The numbers measure unemployment for residents who live in a certain town, not those who work in the town.
Statewide the unemployment rate dropped from 8.4 percent in October 2012 to 8.2 percent in November. Compared to October 2011, unemployment in Illinois has dropped 1 percent.
The U.S. average unemployment rate was 7.4 percent in November 2012.
SOUTHLAND
| Nov. 2012 | Oct. 2012 | Nov. 2011 | % Change Over Month | % Change Over Year | |
| Chicago Heights | 12.3 | 11.9 | 15.2 | 0.4 | -2.9 |
| Evergreen Park | 9.0 | 9.3 | 10.8 | -0.3 | -1.8 |
| Oak Forest | 8.1 | 7.9 | 9.1 | 0.2 | -1.0 |
| Oak Lawn | 8.1 | 8.5 | 9.7 | -0.4 | -1.6 |
| Orland Park | 6.7 | 7.0 | 7.8 | -0.3 | -1.1 |
| Tinley Park | 6.9 | 7.2 | 8.0 | -0.3 | -1.1 |
| Cook County | 8.8 | 9.0 | 10.0 | -0.2 | -1.2 |
| Will County | 8.1 | 8.1 | 9.3 | 0.0 | -1.2 |
| Illinois | 8.2 | 8.4 | 9.2 | -0.2 | -1.0 |
| U.S. Average | 7.4 | 7.5 | 8.2 | -0.1 |
-0.8 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Illinois Department of Employment Security
Stay informed about what's going on in Chicago Heights:
Arthur W. Wiggins Jr.
7:11 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
A decrease in unemployment in November is not a surprise, it is a surprise when there is a decrease in November. Historically, (beyond the recession) there is always a bump in hiring in November, which is attributed to the Christmas shopping season.
There should be better indicators or tools of measurement rather than the "wait to see" in the following months of our employment changes. In measuring unemployment our system solely relies of the total number of those seeking unemployment benefits, giving no regard to those that are either underemployed or those which have given up seeking employment.
Arthur W. Wiggins Jr.
7:15 am on Monday, January 7, 2013
We are far better off analyzing employment rates at the beginning of the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd quarter of the year.