The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reported that the state’s unemployment rate fell -0.1 percentage point to 4.4% while nonfarm payrolls increased by +7,900 in March.
The monthly report, released Thursday, April 20, is based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The agency also said February’s monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +10,700 to +8,100 jobs. The February unemployment rate was 4.5% was unchanged from preliminary results. The March payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including March 12.
According to IDES, these industry sectors saw the largest over-the-month gains in employment: Professional and Business Services (+3,000), Leisure and Hospitality (+3,000), and Government (+1,600). The largest monthly payroll declines were in these industries: Manufacturing (-1,400), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-500), and Information (-300). “Illinois continues to see considerable job growth across major industry sectors throughout the state, bolstering the Illinois labor market,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the IDES news release.
“More jobs create more opportunities for Illinois workers, and IDES has the necessary resources needed to connect job-seekers with employers looking for diverse and experienced talent,” he added.
The state’s unemployment rate was +0.9 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate, which in March stood at 3.5%, or down -0.1 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate also was down -0.1 percentage point from a year ago when it was at 4.5%.
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +131,100 jobs, with gains across nearly all major industries. The largest jobs increases included: Leisure and Hospitality (+43,200), Educational and Health Services (+36,600), and Government (+23,200). Information was the only industry group to report a decline in payroll jobs, down -1,900 from a year ago.
In March, total nonfarm payrolls were up 2.2% over-the-year in Illinois and up 2.7% in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers in Illinois was 283,800, a decrease of 2.1% from the prior month, and -3.6% over the same month one year ago. The labor force size was almost unchanged over-the-month and down 0.2% over-the-year.
“As more jobs are created and the unemployment rate continues to show signs of improvement, DCEO remains committed to providing businesses and employees with the tools necessary to support and grow Illinois’ strong workforce,” Kristin Richards, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, said in the news release. “The state’s consistent increases in payroll jobs and decreases in unemployment are a testament to the strength of Illinois’ unmatched workforce and positive economic growth.”
In May 2020, Gov. J.B. Pritzker launched Get Hired Illinois, a one-stop-shop website to help connect job seekers with hiring employers in real time. The site features virtual job fairs, no-cost virtual training, and includes IllinoisJobLink.com (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine, which recently showed 53,117 posted resumes with 120,199 available jobs.
