Jobless Rate up Slightly in Western Suburbs

Unemployment rates in Illinois increased slightly from April 2013 to May, and they're still a bit higher than this time last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

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.

Towns like La Grange, Western Springs, La Grange Park and most nearby towns don't have population numbers high enough for their own numbers.

IDES however points out that unemployment dropped in eight of the 12 metro areas it measures.

"Falling unemployment rates in most areas of our state reflect a national economy that is moving forward while looking for a reason to build momentum," IDES Director Jay Rowell said in a news release. "Our local economies will get a bigger push when the national recovery becomes more stable, and that will be contingent upon sustained global growth and growing consumer confidence."

Statewide the unemployment rate remained stagnant from March to April. Compared to May 2012, unemployment in Illinois has increased 0.2 percent.

The U.S. average unemployment rate was 7.3 percent in May 2013, up from the rate in April 2013, but still lower than May 2012. See the chart above for local unemployment rates near you, or go to the IDES website for a full list of municipalities.