The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced last week that the state’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage point to 4.6% for October.
The IDES report outlines several job sectors that gained and lost jobs during October.
Industry sectors showing the largest monthly payroll job declines included: professional and business services (-6,700); manufacturing (-5,300); financial activities (-2,900); and educational and health services (-2,900).
The largest over-the-month job gains were in these sectors: government (+4,200); leisure and hospitality (+1,500); and construction (+700). Overall, nonfarm jobs decreased by 15,000 across the state in October.
“As jobseekers continue to look for their next career opportunities, IDES stands ready to assist individuals with their searches and provide services, resources, and collaborative measures to match them with employers,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the IDES news release. “Illinois is proud of the talented and diverse workforce throughout the state and will continue to invest in expanded growth opportunities.”
The state’s unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for October. Nationally, unemployment was 3.9% in October, up 0.1 percentage point from September. Illinois’ 4.6% unemployment rate was unchanged from a year ago.
Also, according to the latest IDES report, the number of unemployed workers was 296,600, which was up 5% from September, and down 1.1% over the same month one year ago. The labor force size was up 0.1% over-the-month and down 0.1% 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.
