More workers had jobs in Evanston last month

Evanston's unemployment rate fell in September to 6.4 percent, the lowest level since May.

It was 7.1 percent in August, and a year ago Evanston's jobless rate was 7.7 percent.

The rate for the Chicago metro area also fell, from 8.8 percent in August to 8.0 percent in September. A year ago that rate stood at 9.9 percent.

Statewide the jobless rate was 8.1 percent in September, down from 8.9 percent in August and down from 9.8 percent a year ago.

The number of people in the Evanston labor force grew in September to 41,846 from 41,496 in August. The number of people employed grew by 592 while the number looking for work shrank by 242.

Eighteen of the nearly 100 towns in Illinois with more than 25,000 residents had lower unemployment rates than Evanston in September.

Wilmette had the lowest jobless rate, 5.5 percent, followed by Wheeling at 5.7 percent.

Six other towns -- Glen Ellyn, Glenview, Highland Park, Northbroook, Palatine and St. Charles -- had rates under 6 percent.