DeKalb County's unemployment rate continued on a downward trend in May, falling to 7.9 percent, down from 8.3 percent in April, according to preliminary data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The county's labor pool is healthier than it was a year ago with the addition of about 770 workers. The number of unemployed people also shrank in May by about 560 people compared to a year ago.

DeKalb County's unemployment rate fared better compared to the state unemployment average of 8.4 percent in May, which was lower than the statewide unemployment rate of 8.6 in April. The national unemployment rate increased slightly from 7.7 percent in April to 7.9 percent in May.