The state lost 4,100 jobs in December from November, but the unemployment rate fell to 9.8 percent from 10 percent, the Illinois Department of Employment Security said Friday.

“Monthly snapshots are just that, but looking at long-term trends reveals the path we are taking,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “Our long-term growth trajectory shows Illinois’ economy moving forward and in the right direction.”

The state has recorded job growth in seven of the past 12 months and has added 95,900 jobs since …