Illinois’ jobs situation improved in May, but the state needs long-term solutions such as a spending cap to get on a path to fiscal health and assure investors more tax hikes are not on the horizon.

More than three-quarters Illinois communities lost population over the year, and nearly all of the state’s major metro areas are lagging the nation on key economic indicators.

New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show eight of Illinois’ 13 metro areas gained jobs over the month.

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.

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

Seven metro areas across the state lost jobs over the month.

The state also saw a drop in the unemployment rate, but it wasn’t because people found jobs.

Revisions from the Bureau of Labor Statistics flipped Decatur’s jobs growth from negative to positive over the year, though the growth was meager.

Combined jobs growth was slightly positive across Illinois’ metro areas in January. But only four metro areas have recovered the jobs they lost during the Great Recession.

The insurer will downsize its IT division in Bloomington while adding tech jobs in other states.