As part of Illinois’ statewide population drop in 2017, southern Illinois counties saw a continuation of population losses they’ve been seeing for years.

If current population trends hold, Rock Island, Illinois, will take a back seat to Bettendorf, Iowa, within five years.

When people can’t find good job opportunities in Illinois, they are too often forced to leave. And to take their place, too few have enough confidence in the state to move in from elsewhere and build a future.

In a shrinking state, half of Illinois’ largest cities have shed population since 2010.

The state also saw a drop in the unemployment rate over the month, fueled by employment gains and labor force decline.