Evanston’s unemployment rate dropped again, according to a report released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security last week.
The unemployment rate for Evanston decreased from 7.9 percent in February of last year and 6.9 percent this January to 6.5 percent this February, according to the March 31 report. The unemployment rate for all of Illinois in February was 8.9 percent, whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the national unemployment rate changed little, remaining at 8.8 percent this March.
The figures show that employers are hiring more and that people in Evanston and Chicago are feeling more confident about the economy, though a lot of the drive comes from outside Evanston, City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said. New businesses such as Five Guys Burgers and Fries have taken retail locations and office spaces on Davis and Central streets, he said.
“I think certainly in Evanston, we’re seeing slowly but surely, new businesses come to town, so I think we’re turning a corner,” Bobkiewicz said. “I don’t think these are numbers to have a party about, but it’s just one more indication that things are moving in a positive direction.”
The city should continue efforts to attract and retain businesses in Evanston, such as having dedicated staff members support businesses seeking to relocate or expand to Evanston, he said.
Ald. Donald Wilson (4th) agreed on the importance of retaining businesses and economic development, but he added that the economic situation is not so rosy.
“I don’t see any visible indication that the unemployment rate is going down, and the change is fairly modest,” Wilson said. “I still know people out of work, taking jobs below their skill level and skill set, so it continues to be a problem.”
While the economy is picking up, the rich receive more of the benefits while the poor continue to get poorer, said Evanston resident Kevin O’Connor, who volunteers with groups such as McGaw YMCA. O’Connor said wealth inequality is the biggest problem facing Evanston.
“It was the best of times because the rich got richer, but the poor are even poorer and the middle class is shrinking,” O’Connor said. “Whatever recovery we have, it’s a recovery for a very small part of the population, and I still think we have a lot of issues to deal with.”
