Illinois quick hits: State unemployment rate climbs
State unemployment rate climbs
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday the unemployment rate increased to 5.3 percent in August, one of the highest in the country.
The national unemployment rate was 4.2 percent in August, slightly down from the previous month. The number of unemployed workers was just over 343,000, an increase from the prior month, and up 15 percent over the same month one year ago.
Campaign launched to warn of unlicensed dentists
In response to a troubling rise in reported unlicensed dental practices across the state, the Illinois State Dental Society and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations have joined forces to launch a campaign urging the public to seek dental care only from licensed dentists.
The campaign 'Fake Dentist, Real Risk – Verify Before You Trust' aims to educate Illinois residents about the potential dangers posed by unlicensed dentists. The initiative comes in response to multiple reports of unlawful dental practices by unlicensed practitioners, which have resulted in harm to patients, from fake braces to permanent damage and infections.
Much of state under drought conditions
Drought conditions have been worsening across Illinois.
According to the latest drought monitor update released Thursday, 44% of Illinois is experiencing moderate drought conditions, while, 55% of the state is considered abnormally dry.
Bloomington has received just .10 of rain in September with Springfield getting less than half of that amount. Many parts of Illinois were expected to get rain Thursday night and also over the weekend.
