With payroll jobs increasing a fourth straight month in June, Illinois’ state unemployment rate remained at 5.1%, the latest Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) report shows.
In its monthly report Thursday, July 16, IDES said the rate was unchanged from May’s revised 5.1% rate and up +0.8 percentage point from the same month a year ago. Statistics are based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Total nonfarm payrolls, which saw an over-the-month increase for the fourth consecutive time, were up +1,500 jobs to 6.164 million. The June payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including June 12.
IDES also reported the May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report from +6,000 to up +4,100 jobs.
Reporting the largest monthly payroll jobs increases in June were these industry sectors: Leisure and Hospitality (+3,000), Professional and Business Services (+2,300) and Private Education and Health Services (+1,600). The largest over-the-month decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-4,100), Information (-1,800) and Financial Activities (-1,700).
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs were up +9,200 jobs. The largest jobs increases and decreased over-the-year included: Private Education and Health Services (+14,900), Construction (+10,700) and Leisure and Hospitality (+6,900) as well as Financial Activities (-13,100), Professional and Business Services (-9,500), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-7,300).
In June, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.1% over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.3% in the nation.
Increasing resources
Illinois Deputy Gov. Andy Manar described Illinois’ labor market as having “steady performance” while maintaining a stable unemployment rate.”
“The continued long-term expansion in critical sectors like healthcare and infrastructure shows that our state investments are targeting the right areas, he said in the IDES release “Amid unprecedented economic headwinds, we remain fully focused on growing our economy, supporting our world-class workforce and bolstering industries that provide good-paying jobs and opportunities for Illinoisans.”
Kristin Richards, director of the state’s Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), also noted the fourth monthly increase in jobs and the momentum it is creating . “Through the state’s commitment to investing in Illinois’ employees and employers, DCEO is actively providing resources and opportunities for Illinoisans to succeed,” she said.
The latest IDES release showed that 329,700 Illinois residents were unemployed in June, which was down -2% from May, and up +16.1% over the same month one year ago. The available labor force was down -0.3% from May and -0.9% over-the-year.
The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment including those who exhaust, or are ineligible, for benefits so long as they actively seek a job.
IDES resources
One of IDES’ roles is connecting jobseekers to employers who are hiring. The state agency hosts and co-hosts job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners, and maintains Illinois JobLink (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine. The tool is used by jobseekers to look for work, and by employers who can post open positions and browse resumes. Recently, IJL showed 59,469 posted resumes with 64,925 jobs available.
In partnership with the DCEO and the Illinois Department of Labor, IDES also publishes resources to assist federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations or deferred resignations.
