Biz Barometer

L 2014 January home sales in three of the four large Tazewell County communities lagged behind January of 2013:  Pekin (20 vs. 25), East Peoria (17 vs. 19), and Morton (11 vs. 13).  Washington (14 vs. 13) was the only large Tazewell community with a better January sales total.

L The unemployment rate in Pekin was 10.6% in December, up from 10.5% in November and 9.4% last December.

L 15,422 people were employed in Pekin in December .  That’s up 82 less than November., and 559 less than last December.

L 178,165 people were employed in the Peoria region in December .  That’s up 945 less than November, and 6,463 less than last December.

J Total U.S. nonfarm payroll employment rose by 113,000 in January, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 6.6 percent.  Employment grew in construction, manufacturing, wholesale trade, and mining.

L Pekin’s January sales tax disbursement from the state was down 12.3% compared to a year ago.

K Pekin’s sales tax disbursement for the past 12 months is 0.1% greater than the previous 12 months.

J East Peoria’s sales tax disbursement from the state for the past 12 months is 9.7% greater than the previous 12 months, while Washington (1.9%) and Morton (0.9%) are also up compared to the 12 month period.

K The Consumer Price The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in January on a seasonally adjusted basis. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.6 percent before seasonal adjustment.

(Source:  Peoria Area Association of Realtors, Illinois Department of Revenue, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Illinois Department of Employment Security)