Illinois Unemployment Rate Drops to 4.4%, Payroll Jobs Decrease in August

Contact: Rebecca Cisco | 217-524-1219 | PDF Version

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that total nonfarm payrolls decreased over-the-month in August, down -13,300 (-0.2%) to 6,153,700. The July monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -2,500 to -1,100.

The industry sectors with over-the-month jobs increases included: Information (+800), Manufacturing (+400), and Construction (+300). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-4,500), Private Education and Health Services (-4,000), and Professional and Business Services (-2,600).

Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +5,900 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+18,600), Information (+4,800), and Financial Activities (+3,500). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-11,600), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-8,600), and Manufacturing (-4,000). In August, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.1 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.9 percent in the nation.

The unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in August, down -0.2 percentage point from the previous month, the lowest unemployment rate since July 2023, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised July unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.6 percent. The August payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

"At a time when flawed federal economic policies have fueled uncertainty for workers and businesses, the State of Illinois continues to prioritize jobseekers and employers by investing in key workforce initiatives and providing supportive resources and services," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "Illinois' resilient and diverse workforce remains our greatest strength, and we are committed to creating new opportunities that will drive long-term economic growth."

"DCEO is committed to investing in our state's greatest asset - our world class workforce through expanding economic development and job opportunities for all Illinoisans," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "Through our strategic workforce development programs and various funding opportunities, DCEO is dedicated to maintaining our role as helping Illinois be the best place to live, work, and do business."

The number of unemployed persons was 292,500, down -2.7% from the prior month, and down -12.7% over the same month one year ago. The labor force decreased -0.3% over-the-month and was down -0.9% over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

IDES helps connect jobseekers to employers who are hiring in a number of ways, including hosting and co-hosting job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners, and through maintaining Illinois JobLink (IJL), the state's largest job search engine. IJL is a tool used by jobseekers to look for work, and by employers who can post open and available positions for hire and browse resumes. Recently, IJL showed 68,618 posted resumes with 65,264 jobs available. Additionally, in partnership with IDOL and DCEO, IDES published resources to assist federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations or deferred resignations.