Unemployment in QC at lowest level since 2008 | News

A new report by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security was released Thursday showing that unemployment in the Quad Cities has dropped to its lowest level in roughly four years.

Unemployment in Rock Island County fell to 7.0 percent in November, compared to 8.1 percent in 2011. Unemployment in Scott County fell to 6.0 percent, compared to 6.8 percent last year.

The only county on the Illinois-side of the river with higher unemployment was Henderson County.

“The trend of falling unemployment rates across Illinois shows that our economy continues to improve,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “The largest challenge to local economic growth is the fiscal cliff. Economic progress could slow at every level and we risk another recession if Congress does not work together to craft a solution.”

 Iowa’s unemployment remains at 5.2 percent while Illinois is at 8.8 percent. The nation’s unemployment sits at 7.9 percent.

*Information was based on Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates for November 2011 and November 2012.