Quinn for Illinois

(Crain's) — The state of Illinois' jobless rate fell to 8.9% in February, marking the 13th straight month of decline

The February figure is 0.1 percentage point lower than January's rate and 2.2 points below February 2010, according to preliminary figures released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The last time the state had a jobless rate below 9% was in February 2009. 

The department said there were 588,500 residents out of work in February. That includes people who have stopped receiving unemployment benefits but report they are still seeking work.

Jobs were added in the professional and business services, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality industries.

The continued decline shows that the "Illinois economy is improving and moving in the right direction," Maureen O'Donnell, director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, said in a release.