Community Corner
Sound Off: Will Jobs Report Help Obama?
National figures show lowest unemployment rate in nearly four years.
The nation's unemployment rate fell to 7.8 percent in September, its lowest level in nearly four years, according to figures released Friday.
High unemployment, and previous promises by President Barack Obama to keep the rate below 8 percent if the stimulus passed, have been repeated often on the campaign trail.
The next employment report is due just days before the November election, so these September figures may be the last jobs report with any impact on the election.
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SO HERE'S THE QUESTION: Do you think this unemployment report helps President Obama secure re-election?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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According to the Illinois Department of Economic Security, the unemployment rate in the 11 out of 12 Chicago metro areas has declined compared with a year ago, falling 1.7 points to 8.8 percent in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area. Since last August, IDES also reports the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area has seen a 1 percent increase in jobs, for a total of 35,000 new jobs. Economists suggest an ideal U.S. unemployment rate is between 4 and 6 percent.
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