_Tuesday Nov 22, 2011 the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their October 2011 Regional and State Employment and Unemployment report (the Oct statistics are preliminary). In reading the report, a generally positive trend across the country of increased employment was found. However, the report is mixed with increased job creation and increased unemployment rates based on the U-3 definition of unemployment (seeking a job in the last four weeks).

From September to October the nonfarm payroll employment increased in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Employment decreased in 11 states.

IL led the nation in October with an increase of 30,000 new jobs from September followed by CA with 25,700 new jobs and VA with 14,000 new jobs.

The largest states for month-over moth decreases of nonfarm payroll employment included WI with -9,700, NY -8,300 and MN -6,100.

From a year earlier, nonfarm payroll employment increased in 45 states and the District of Columbia. Employment decreased in 5 states. CA led the direction with 239,100 new jobs created over the past year followed by TX with 231,600 and FL with 93,900 new jobs created. GA had the largest decrease of employment with 33,300 jobs lost over the past year.

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On September 15th, 2011, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported the Midwest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)

The Chicago-Gary-Kenosha region reported an increase of the All Items August Consumer Price Index by 0.2% and 3.2% for the past 12 months. The August Core Consumer Price Index (excluding food and energy) increased by 0.4% and 1.6% for the last 12 months. Food and energy are excluded in the core index as those are historically the most volatile components of the index.

For comparison, the All Items National CPI for August increased by 0.3% and 3.8% for the last 12 months.

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Friday Aug 19th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their July 2011 regional and state unemployment rates. With a 0% month over month rate change at 8%, New York ranks 23rd place for state unemployment rates.

Wisconsin and Pennsylvania rank just above NY with 7.8% unemployment rates for both states. Delaware and W. Virginia ranked just below NY with 8.1% rates.  North Dakota and Nebraska are ranked number one and two with unemployment rates of 3.3% and 4.1% respectively.

At the bottom of the rankings are Nevada and California at 12.9% and 12% respectively.  The July national unemployment is 9.1%, down from 9.2% in June.

The seasonally adjusted month over month 0% change of unemployment rate ranks NY in a tied 10th place with 12 other states. Of those 12 other states, only Iowa, Massachusetts, and South Dakota have lower unemployment rates than NY.

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Friday Aug 19th, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released their July 2011 regional and state unemployment rates.  Illinois is tied in ranking for 36th place at 9.5% for state unemployment rates along with Kentucky, New Jersey and Oregon. North Dakota and Nebraska are ranked number one and two with unemployment rates of 3.3% and 4.1% respectively.

At the bottom of the rankings are Nevada and California at 12.9% and 12% respectively.  The July national unemployment is 9.1%, down from 9.2% in June.

The seasonally adjusted month over month unemployment rate increase of 0.4% from 9.1% to 9.5%, ranked IL as one of the five states with the largest July increases.

On a historical basis (data beginning in 1976), the highest recorded rate for the IL unemployment rate is 12.9% from December 1982 to February 1983. The lowest recorded rate is 4.2% in February 1999. IL last reached 9.5% unemployment in October/ November 2010.

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In 1910 the New York population was 9.1 million with a growth of 25.4%, the highest percentage population increase for the state since the 1910 Census.  In 1910 many Western states were growing by 30% to 60%. NY continued to grow at double digits until the

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On Friday Dec 17th, 2010 the Bureau of Labor Statistics released their monthly State and Regional Unemployment report for the month of November, 2010.


New York State’s unemployment rate has not changed as the months of September, October and November 2010 reported 8.3%, 8.2% and 8.3% respectively.

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On Friday Dec 17th, 2010 the Bureau of Labor Statistics released their monthly State and Regional Unemployment report for the month of November, 2010.

Illinois reported a preliminary November unemployment rate of 9.6%. October reported 9.8% and 9.9% in September. The IL Nov 2009 unemployment rate was 10.9%.

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