SPRINGFIELD — With the economy among the top issues facing candidates for governor, some Republicans this week latched onto Illinois’ growing unemployment numbers to focus on the issue.

On Thursday, the state released figures showing unemployment in Illinois had reached 11 percent, the highest rate since 1983.

Republican state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale released a statement assigning some blame to Gov. Pat Quinn and pointing to ideas to help create jobs.

“We need to pass meaningful jobs creation legislation that will address the high cost of doing business in Illinois,” Dillard said.

It’s a message heard from nearly every candidate for governor as residents of Illinois worry about the stability of their jobs or how they’ll get by if they’ve lost them.

State Sen. Bill Brady, a Bloomington Republican and homebuilder by trade, made jobs the focus of a statewide tour last month. Former state GOP leader Andy McKenna has proposed calling a “jobs summit” as his first act as governor.

Most Republicans have opposed the idea of a tax increase, saying that move would hamper job growth.

And Republican strategist and candidate Dan Proft sent an e-mail statement this week blasting both parties for offering cliché solutions to the state’s economic and budget problems.

“Unlike the others in this race, our campaign refuses to content ourselves with opposing tax increases or playing the politicians’ game of promising tax cuts after they balance the budget that they never balance,” Proft said.

Then the statement asked twice for people to donate to his campaign.

Republicans have aimed much of their scorn at Democrats, and namely Quinn, who’s competing against Comptroller Dan Hynes and others for his party’s nod for governor.

Hynes spokesman Matt McGrath said the unemployment numbers are “distressing” and that the state budget must be resolved before programs can be changed to help the economy.

“The budget is the critical issue in the state,” McGrath said.

Quinn spokesman Bob Reed defended the governor, pointing to a statewide construction plan approved under his watch.

“While some politicians posture about economic recovery and reform, Governor Quinn is fighting to put people back to work during an near unprecedented time of economic hardship,” Reed said.

The primary election is Feb. 2.