Local Unemployment Rates Drop

Republicans will probably credit Trump. Democrats will probably point to years long trends that started with Obama. Some wonky independents will probably say that economic forces generally beyond presidential purview are at work while everyone tries to take credit for the good news. No matter where one gives credit, there is good news all around. From the News-Gazette last night:

January unemployment down in C-U, Danville over 2017
The unemployment rates in both the Champaign-Urbana and Danville metro areas continued to drop in January compared with a year ago...

In the Champaign-Urbana metro area, 1,400 jobs were added over the year, including 1,000 in government; 600 in education and health services; 200 each in leisure and hospitality and professional and business services; and 100 each in durable-goods manufacturing, transportation, warehousing and utilities, information, and financial activities.

Meanwhile, retail trade lost 700 jobs, while manufacturing of nondurable goods and wholesale trade each lost 100...

Across Illinois, the unemployment rate dropped across each of the 14 metro areas, and jobs increased in 11 of those.

Full article here.