Illinois' jobless level dipped to 4.4 percent in March, a 21-yearrecord and well below the national average, while statewideemployment hit an all-time high of 5.8 million, the governmentreported Friday.
Nationally, the jobless level inched up to 5.5 percent, andfewer new jobs were added than expected, indicating a slowdown in thestrong expansion of recent months and a check on inflation.
While economists applauded the numbers, investors apparentlydecided the slowdown was coming too fast and sold off stocks. TheDow Jones industrial average of 30 stocks was off nearly 35 points atmidday but recouped some losses to close down nearly 13 points at4,192.62. The …
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