CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois’ unemployment rate remained at 6 percent in April, as the state’s slow economic recovery continued to trail those of neighboring states and more than half the country.

Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Jeff Mays says at the current pace, Illinois job numbers won’t return to their pre-recession levels until July 2016.

The national unemployment rate was 5.4 percent in April.

Illinois’ rate for the same month a year earlier was 7.4 percent.

The biggest job gains for April were in the professional and business services sector, which added 8,200 jobs. Other sectors that saw increases included educational and health services.

The largest declines were in financial activities, which lost 2,400 jobs; and manufacturing, which lost 1,200 positions. The construction sector lost 800 jobs.

 

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