From Name: From Email: To Name: To Email: Optional Message: Manufacturing drives private-sector July job growth in Illinois from The Rock River Times Illinois added 800 private-sector jobs in July and the unemployment rate inched upward 0.2 to 8.9 percent, according to preliminary data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. A sharp decline in the government's sector of local school jobs brings the net tally to 7,100 fewer positions in July than June. "Illinois' private sector continues its deliberate job growth while government payrolls continue to shrink," said IDES Director Jay Rowell. more 7701 Las Colinas Blvd., Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063