Indiana's unemployment rate stood at 9.7 percent in January, while Illinois' jobless rate rose to 11.3 percent, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Wednesday.
Although Indiana lost 2,000 nonfarm jobs in the first month of 2010, the state's jobless rate didn't change from a revised December rate of 9.7 percent. .
"Similar to the rest of the nation, Indiana isn't seeing much change right now," said Teresa Voors, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. "Indiana's unemployment rate appears to be holding relatively stable based on the slowing of job losses."
The Department of Workforce Development said sectors seeing significant employment increases were manufacturing, financial activities and professional and business services. About 10,500 jobs were lost in private education, health services, leisure and hospitality and construction.
Indiana's unemployment rate remained below rates in neighboring states. Month over month, Illinois' unemployment rate increased 0.3 percent to 11.3 percent, Michigan's unemployment rate decreased 0.2 percent to 14.3 percent, Kentucky's jobless rate decreased 0.1 percent to 10.7 percent and Ohio's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 10.8 percent.
There are about 3.11 million people in the labor force in Indiana and about 6.62 million people in Illinois' labor force.
January data is preliminary and adjusted for seasonal shifts in employment.
The nation's unemployment rate in January and February was 9.7 percent.
The 2009 average of labor underutilization -- which counts people who are considered underemployed -- was 17 percent in Illinois and 17.6 percent in Indiana.
In January, nonseasonally adjusted unemployment rates increased about one percentage point in LaPorte (12.8 percent), Lake (11.3 percent) and Porter (9.9 percent) counties from December.
Local nonseasonally adjusted unemployment rates in January
East Chicago: 14.1 percent
Hobart: 13.2 percent
Michigan City: 13 percent
Hammond: 12.4 percent
Gary: 12 percent
Portage: 11.1 percent
Merrillville: 10.1 percent
Valparaiso: 9 percent
Schererville: 8.6 percent
Source: Indiana Department of Workforce Development
