Illinois unemployment rate rises in June

CHICAGO — The unemployment rate across Illinois increased slightly in June, ending nine straight months of decreases.

In its monthly report on statewide unemployment Thursday, the state Department of Employment Security said the jobless rate rose a tenth of a percentage point to 8.7 percent. The national unemployment rate put out by the U.S. Department of Labor held steady at 8.2 percent in June.

In Illinois, the trade, transportation and utilities sector lost a net 4,900 jobs.