Unemployment rates in Illinois increased slightly from November 2012 to December but are still down compared to the the end of 2011, according to new figures released last week.

In Evergreen Park the December rate was slightly lower in December than November, dropping from 9 percent to 8.9 percent. Since this time last year, the unemployment rate in the village has gone from 10.7 percent to 8.9 percent, according to the figures. 

November local unemployment rates fell in nine of 12 metro areas compared to last year, according to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

"The most pressing challenge to our economic progress is the uncertainty tied to Congress, the debt ceiling and the fiscal cliff," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "Our economic recovery could be compromised if Congress is not seen as working together to build a solution."

IDES generally reports unemployment figures for municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more people. The numbers measure unemployment for residents who live in a certain town, not those who work in the town. 

Statewide the unemployment rate increased from 8.3 percent in November 2012 to 8.6 percent in December. Compared to December 2011, unemployment in Illinois has dropped 0.7 percent. 

The U.S. average unemployment rate was 7.6 percent in November 2012. See below for local unemployment rates near you, or go to the IDES website for a full list of municipalities. 

SOUTHLAND