The monthly unemployment rate in November for the Peoria MSA dropped below 8% for the first time since June.  The unemployment rate of 7.9% is one percent lower than November of 2010.  Within the MSA, the monthly unemployment rate for the cities of Peoria and Pekin both decreased.  Similarly, Peoria County and Tazewell County also saw decreases.  Woodford County still has the lowest unemployment rate in the MSA at 6.3%, unchanged from the October.

According to a Dec. 22, 2011 Associated Press article, the job market is getting healthier, adding to evidence that the economy is improving as 2011 nears an end. "The economy is carrying some clear momentum into 2012," said economist Joel Naroff of Naroff Economic Advisors. "The consistent decline in weekly lines at the unemployment offices is pointing to a firming in the labor markets, fewer layoffs, more jobs being added and most importantly, a decline in the unemployment rate."

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