PEORIA, IL — Congressman Darin LaHood released the following statement today following the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report that stated Peoria County owns the largest county percentage increase in average weekly wages at 23.8 percent.
“This report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics is welcome news to Peoria and one that should be cheered by our local employers and the workforce that supports them. News such as this further magnifies the impact a strong economy, coupled with low unemployment, has on our local communities and particularly our manufacturing industry.
“When Republicans considered the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act at the end of last year, the focus was to pass legislation that would encourage job creation and provide greater opportunity for our employers to succeed, all while allowing individuals to keep more of their hard-earned money. Since that bill was signed into law eight months ago, Americans have seen significant job growth and wage increases along with a declining unemployment rate. Today’s report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics confirms that Peoria has benefited from a growing economy and our local community is leading the nation among all of the largest counties in the country.”
Background:
- The U.S. average weekly wage increased 3.7 percent over the year, growing to $1,152 in the first quarter of 2018.
- Peoria had the largest over-the-year percentage increase in average weekly wages, with a gain of 23.8 percent.
- Within Peoria, an average weekly wage gain of $1,802 (60.6 percent) in manufacturing made the largest contribution to the county’s increase in average weekly wages.
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