Illinois Valley unemployment remains high

Local unemployment numbers are some of the highest in Illinois but there’s a silver lining.  January 2014 unemployment rates in La Salle, Bureau and Putnam Counties were a point or more lower from the same time last year.

La Salle County unemployment was 12.5% in January, compared to 13.5% in January 2013.

Bureau County unemployment was down from last January to 12.2% and Putnam County unemployment was down from last January to 12.2%.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the Ottawa-Streator area January rate was 12.2%, also an improvement over the same time last year.