March unemployment rates show a decline

Local unemployment rates show signs of improvement but remain high compared to other parts of Illinois.

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, La Salle County unemployment in March was 11.2%, slightly lower than it was in March 2013.

Bureau County March unemployment was 9.5% and Putnam County March unemployment was 10.6%- both rates showing declines from the previous March.

The Ottawa-Streator area unemployment rate was 10.8%. The area gained jobs in the transportation-warehousing sector.