For the week ending Dec. 16, unemployment claims numbered 315,000 which is an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's figures, according to the Department of Labor.
The 4-week moving average, was 325,750, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average of 327,750.
Illinois and Ohio experienced the largest increases for the week ending Dec. 9, the most recent data available. Ohio reported layoffs in the automobile sector, while Illinois saw layoffs in manufacturing, construction and the service sector.
