Rockford Unemployment Rate Drops

ROCKFORD — With a 7 percent jobless rate in February in the Rockford area, so many people are working that one staffing agency is having trouble finding employees to fill open spots in bustling factories.

Jack Dillon, staffing coordinator for Workplace, said he has 30 somewhat skilled positions open primarily at one company. He said he's having trouble filling the jobs even though they pay $15 or more an hour plus benefits, and they aren't temporary positions. He said the agency also has entry level jobs that are available, and it's even harder to find workers for highly skilled jobs such as engineers and project managers.

Dillon said he's worked in the staffing business for some 24 years, "And I have never seen it this tight."

The jobless rate in February for the Rockford metropolitan area of Winnebago and Boone counties was down from 7.8 percent in January and 10 percent in February 2014. The Illinois Department of Employment Security released the figures Tuesday.

Brad Long, president of the Northwestern Illinois Building & Construction Trades Council, said the building of two Meijer grocery stores — one in Rockford, the other in Machesney Park — have kept electricians, carpenters, laborers, plumbers and sheet metal workers busy for the past six months.

Long said he expects contractors in the middle of the summer will be "crazy busy." Construction work typically amplifies during the spring and summer when weather is ideal. Additionally, several significant construction projects should be in full swing to keep workers busy, including the erection of a jet repair hub at Chicago Rockford International Airport and renovations at the Register Star for classroom space for Rock Valley College.

The jobless rate dropped in all metro areas in the state in February compared with February 2014. Bloomington logged the lowest jobless rate in February at 5 percent, down from 6.8 percent in the same month last year.