By Cynthia Grau/WJEZ News

Illinois’ unemployment rose in the month of December to 5.7 percent.

That was a one-tenth increase from November. Illinois Department of Employment Security Spokesperson Bob Gough says jobs were also down last month by more than 16,000.

“The biggest losses were in education, professional business services and construction, which you’re always going to lose construction jobs in December. Overall for the year, we only increased by 28,400 jobs whereas in 2015 we increased by over 51,000 jobs,” Gough said.

Illinois’ rate is falling behind that of the nation, with the national unemployment rate coming in at 4.7 percent.