The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell to a six-week low last week, but the ranks of those continuing to collect benefits after their initial week held steady at the highest in nearly four years in the prior week.

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Illinois rose last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, increased to 10,109 in the week ending June 28, up from 8,237 the week before, the Labor Department said.

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in New York dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 12,362 in the week ending June 21, down from 13,254 the week before, the Labor Department said.

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits fell last week, but the unemployment rate could rise in June as more laid off people struggle to find work.Initial claims for state unemployment benefits dropped 10,

Initial filings for unemployment benefits in Ohio dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 4,884 in the week ending June 21,

The number of Americans filing new applications for jobless benefits decreased by more than projected in the week ended June 21, reflecting a stronger