The Illinois Department of Employment Security is reporting unemployment in all the state’s metropolitan areas fell in October.

The agency reported Wednesday the metro area showing the largest decline in unemployment was Peoria, down 2.4 points to 9.3 percent, with Chicago-Joliet-Naperville 1.5 points lower at 8.9 percent. Rockford was 1.4 points lower at 14.4 percent, and Decatur 1.4 points lower at 10.9 percent.

IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell says the state has recorded two consecutive months of declining unemployment, a trend showing Illinois is on the right path to recovery.

With its 14.4 percent unemployment rate, the Rockford metro area continues to have the highest rate in the state, although it is down from 15.9 percent in October 2009.

Overall Illinois unemployment was 9.2 percent last month, compared to 9 percent nationally.