Official recession or not, a 7.3 percent unemployment rate for the state of Illinois last month was the highest level in nearly 15 years.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich was among those quick to weigh in on the numbers.

“I was disappointed to see that again the national economic crunch has weighed heavily on industries critical to Illinois’ economy,” the governor said in a statement referring to job losses in construction, finance and manufacturing.

Blagojevich again used the latest economic data to call for legislative approval of his stalled capital plan to create construction jobs. The governor also said progress in the General Assembly this week has made him more optimistic his Illinois Works program can be approved.

Job losses were spread across a number of industries in the past year, with construction, finance and manufacturing hardest hit. It marked the third month in a row year-to-year job losses increased in Illinois.

The 7.3 percent rate in July was the highest since September 1993 and also was well above the 5.7 percent national rate.

University of Illinois economist J. Fred Giertz said the latest figures are evidence that the nationwide problems in housing and the finance industry have spread to Illinois after the state avoided the worst of the problems for much of 2007.

But he said neither the nation nor the state is technically in recession. In fact, he said rising unemployment typically comes near the end of a slowdown.

“We’re certainly in a significant slowdown, and, traditionally, rising unemployment is a lagging indicator,” said Giertz.

While many industries are making cuts, others continue to grow. The need for teachers and nurses remains constant, and many are entering these professions without the fear of losing their jobs.

Diana Ruiz joined Adventist Hinsdale Hospital as a registered nurse at the end of July. While other factors went into her decision to become a nurse, she said she definitely felt more secure going into the field knowing that jobs continue to open up in healthcare.

“Knowing that there is so much to learn and so many different places that a nurse can work really helped,” Ruiz said.

For Ruiz, nursing is something good to have under her belt, and it’s a profession where she feels she can make a difference. 

Rasa Avizienis, regional recruiter for Adventist Hinsdale Hospital, said with the economy where it is today they have seen an increase in applications, particularly for clerical administrators and support services. Nursing is a booming field right now, Avizienis said, but the nursing shortage through 2012 is expected to really intensify.

Avizienis said this is because the average age of nurses is mid-forties, and as they approach retirement they transition into other positions in the field which are less physically demanding.

“Right now we are getting a lot of new grad applications, but we don't know if it will be enough to offset that shortage,” Avizienis said.

GateHouse News Service reporter Tim Landis contributed to this report.