Progress Illinois

New numbers from the Labor Department show that the nation's unemployment rate has fallen to 8.5 percent.

In a press conference this afternoon, President Obama called for an extension on payroll tax cuts as well as unemployment benefits.

In response to today's jobs report by the Labor Department, Joliet residents say they are going to continue their effort to "gain a meeting with the elusive Rep. [Adam] Kinzinger (R-11)" on the unemployment crisis in the area with another protest.

Unemployment claims fell in the U.S. last week, but remain high as the economy continues its slow rebound.