Payrolls Rose in 39 U.S. States in October, Led by Illinois

Payrolls increased in 39 states in October, while the jobless rate dropped in 36, indicating the labor market is steadying across much of the U.S.

Illinois led the nation with a 30,000 gain in jobs, followed by California with 25,700, figures from the Labor Department showed today in Washington. Virginia, Pennsylvania and Washington rounded out the top five states with the biggest gains.