Orland Park Unemployment Rate Drops Lower Than Nearby Towns

Orland Park experienced a drop in recorded unemployment to 6.5 percent in Sept. 2012, close to a two percent drop since Sept. 2011, resulting in the lowest rate among neighboring towns, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The unemployment rate in Illinois is still above 8 percent, though most communities saw a decrease in out-of-work residents in September 2012, according to new figures released last week. In September, local unemployment rates fell in every metro area compared to last year.

"This month's report highlights that we have made steady progress in lowering the unemployment rate, but more needs to be done," IDES Director Jay Rowell said in a news release. "Hiring managers need to see consistent, long-term tax policy and spending priorities by the federal government before we will see stronger hiring increases."

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 8.9 percent in August 2012 to 8.1 percent in September. Compared to September 2011, unemployment in Illinois has dropped 1.7 percent. 

Although fewer people are out of work in Illinois as of late, the rate still lags behind the national average of 7.6 percent unemployment. Illinois saw slightly larger gains in the last month, though, with a .9 percent drop compared to .6 percent nationally.

SOUTHLAND

Sept. 2012 Aug. 2012 Sept. 2011 % Change Over Month % Change Over Year Chicago Heights 11.2 12.8 16 -1.6 -4.8 Evergreen Park 8.4 9.4 11.4 -1 -3 Oak Forest 7.5 8.8 9.4 -1.3 -1.9 Oak Lawn 7.9 8.9 10.3 -1 -2.4 Orland Park 6.5 7.3 8.4 -0.8 -1.9 Tinley Park 6.8 7.6 8.5 -0.8 -1.7 Cook County 8.5 9.3 10.7 -0.8 -2.2 Will County 7.7 8.5 9.9 -0.8 -2.2 Illinois 8.1 8.9 9.8 -0.8 -1.7 U.S. Average 7.6 8.2 8.8 -0.6 -1.2

 

CHICAGO

Sept. 2012 Aug. 2012 Sept. 2011 % Change Over Month % Change Over Year Chicago 9.4 10.3 11.9 -0.9 -2.5 Cook County 8.5 9.3 10.7 -0.8 -2.2 Illinois 8.1 8.9 9.8 -0.8 -1.7 U.S. Average 7.6 8.2 8.8 -0.6 -1.2

OAK PARK/FOREST PARK

Sept. 2012 Aug. 2012 Sept. 2011 % Change Over Month % Change Over Year Oak Park 6.2 7.1 7.9 -0.9 -1.7 Chicago 9.4 10.3 11.9 -0.9 -2.5 Cook County 8.5 9.3 10.7 -0.8 -2.2 Illinois 8.1 8.9 9.8 -0.8 -1.7 U.S. Average 7.6 8.2 8.8 -0.6 -1.2

DUPAGE

Sept. 2012 Aug. 2012 Sept. 2011 % Change Over Month % Change Over Year Bolingbrook (DuPage portion) 7.2 8.1 8.7 -0.9 -1.5 Downers Grove 6.4 6.9 7.5 -0.5 -1.1 Elmhurst 6.1 6.8 7.2 -0.7 -1.1 Glen Ellyn 5.8 6.5 7.7 -0.7 -1.9 Naperville (DuPage portion) 6.3 6.9 7.5 -0.6 -1.2 St. Charles (DuPage portion) 2.4 4.3 8.5 -1.9 -6.1 Wheaton 6.0 6.6 7.6 -0.6 -1.6 Woodridge 7.0 7.7 8.8 -0.7 -1.8 DuPage County 6.5 7.2 8.1 -0.7 -1.6 Illinois 8.1 8.9 9.8 -0.8 -1.7 U.S. Average 7.6 8.2 8.8 -0.6 -1.2

KENDALL/WEST WILL

Sept. 2012 Aug. 2012 Aug. 2011 % Change Over Month % Change Over Year Bolingbrook (Will County portion) 7.5 8.4 9.4 -0.9 -1.9 Joliet 9.5 10.5 12.0 -1.0 -2.5 Naperville (Will County portion) 6.5 7.3 8.4 -0.8 -1.9 Oswego 6.7 7.9 8.0 -1.2 -1.3 Plainfield 6.4 6.9 8.4 -0.5 -2.0 Romeoville 7.9 8.6 9.4 -0.7 -1.5 Kendall County 6.6 7.6 8.4 -1.0 -1.8 Will County 7.7 8.5 9.9 -0.8 -2.2 Illinois 8.1 8.9 9.8 -0.8 -1.7 U.S. Average 7.6 8.2 8.8 -0.6 -1.2

KANE

Sept. 2012 Aug. 2012 Sept. 2011 % Change Over Month % Change Over Year Batavia 6.7 7.6 7.8 -0.9 -1.1 St. Charles (Kane County portion) 6.0 6.9 8.1 -0.9 -2.1 Kane County 7.3 8.1 9.3 -0.8 -2.0 Illinois 8.1 8.9 9.8 -0.8 -1.7 U.S. Average 7.6 8.2 8.8 -0.6 -1.2

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