Unemployment in North Central Illinois lower in April

SPRINGFIELD – Unemployment rates in North Central Illinois decreased in the month of April according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. All area counties experienced a decrease of over half a percentage point. LaSalle County averaged 5.2% last month compared to nearly 6% in March. Bureau County ranked second lowest in unemployment at 4.6% and Putnam County at 4.7% compared to 5.4% for both counties last month. The statewide unemployment rate is slightly down at 4.2%