Report: Unemployment drops in Illinois, down to 5.3% in Rockford area

Unemployment has dropped in the Rockford area and statewide in Rockford over the past year, according to state

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The Rockford area's unemployment is down to 5.3%, dropping 0.2% over the past year, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

IDES says unemployment has dropped in all 14 surveyed metropolitan areas since June 2018.

These were the reported unemployment rates and drops by stateline counties since June 2018:

Winnebago: 5.3% (Down 0.2%)

Boone: 5.2% (Down 0.2%)

Lee: 3.6% (Down 0.8%)

Ogle: 4.2% (Down 0.6%)

Stephenson: 4.2% (Down 0.6%)