Nonfarm Illinois payrolls reached a record high in June, up +9,400 jobs to 6.175 million, surpassing the previous high set in March. That marked a milestone in a record-setting year for total employment, the Illinois Department of Employment Securities (IDES) said.
Meanwhile, the May monthly change in payrolls was revised slightly from the preliminary report, from +100 to -200, according to the IDES report released late last week. The revised May unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.8%.
The June unemployment rate fell -0.2 percentage point to 4.6%, the first monthly decrease since February 2025. It also was the lowest unemployment rate since August 2023, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The June payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
“With another month of record payroll growth, coupled with a decrease in the unemployment rate, Illinois continues to show its economic resiliency amid ever changing federal economic policies in the first half of 2025,” Deputy Governor Andy Manar said in the release. “Illinois is committed to maintaining economic stability, reliability, and innovation that gives workers and employers the tools necessary to find and build long-term success.”
Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards said “Record-breaking payroll growth and falling unemployment numbers are proof of the work the State of Illinois is doing around the clock to bolster the economy.”
She added “As momentum continues to grow, DCEO remains steadfast in our commitment to support the state’s business community.”
Jobs winners, losers
The state’s industry sectors with over-the-month jobs increases included: Government, +10,600 and Private Education and Health Services, +6,200. The sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs decreases included: Leisure and Hospitality, -3,500; Manufacturing, -1,300; and Professional and Business Services, -1,100.
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +35,000. The industry groups with the largest over-the-year job increases included: Private Education and Health Services, +22,900; Government, +21,700; and Leisure and Hospitality, +3,900.
Industry groups with over-the-year jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services, -8,100; Manufacturing, -6,500; and Trade, Transportation and Utilities, -3,800. In June, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.6% over-the-year in Illinois and up +1.1% in the nation.
The number of Illinois unemployed workers was 307,300, down -3.5% from the prior month, and down -9.5% over the same month one year ago. The labor force decreased -0.2% over-the- month and was down -0.3% over-the-year.
The unemployment rate identifies 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, including by hosting and co-hosting job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners. It also maintains llinois 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 58,043 posted resumes with 64,163 jobs available. In partnership with IDOL and DCEO, IDES published resources to assist federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations or deferred resignations.
