New numbers from the Labor Department show that the nation's unemployment rate has fallen to 8.5 percent.
Filed claims for unemployment benefits fell by 23,000 last week, reaching a nine-month low.
In a press conference this afternoon, President Obama called for an extension on payroll tax cuts as well as unemployment benefits.
First-time unemployment benefit claims continued to fall last week, hitting its lowest level since April.
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.
The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week, building optimism about the job market's growth.
Unemployment claims fell in the U.S. last week, but remain high as the economy continues its slow rebound.
Unemployed residents of the 11th congressional district will a hold a rally every day this week outside of the Joliet unemployment office.
The unemployment rate in Illinois reached 10 percent in September, according to new data by the Illinos Department of Employment Security.
