According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area’s unemployment rate in July 2008 was at 7.5 percent, up from June’s unemployment rate of 7.3 percent. The area saw a total non-farm employment of 3,905,000, only a .1 percent decrease from last year, and slightly lower than June’s employment of 3,914,500.

Jobs in Chicago have increased every month this year except for June and July. Employment increased annually by .7 percent in February, .3 percent in March, .2 percent in April and .1 percent in May and decreased by .1 percent in June and July.

So where should Chicago job seekers look for employment? Of the city’s major employment industries, only four added workers during July, while five industries saw a loss of jobs.

The city’s industries that saw an annual increase in employment during July include:

The industries that saw a decrease from last year include:

The natural resources and mining industry employed 1,800 workers, the same as last year. The leisure and hospitality industry employed 352,900, also the same as last year.

Illinois as a whole had an unemployment rate of 7.3 percent during July, higher than the 6.8 percent the state saw in June. Illinois had a total non-farm employment of 5,979,600 during July, the same as last year, and a decrease from June’s employment of 5,989,300.

Only the natural resources and mining, construction, manufacturing, information, financial activities and other services industries in Illinois saw annual employment decreases during July.