Illinois’ monthly unemployment rate was unchanged in January as nonfarm payrolls increased by 1,700 jobs, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
In a news release last week, IDES announced that unemployment remained at 4.7% in January. It was based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The January unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In addition, IDES reported that the December Illinois revised unemployment rate was 4.7%, down -0.1 percentage point from the preliminary December unemployment rate of 4.8%. The December monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report of +1,200 jobs to down 6,600 jobs.
The monthly unemployment release showed that industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains in January included: Government (+5,000), Educational and Health Services (+3,400), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+2,300). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll job declines included: Professional and Business Services (-6,100), Construction (-5,300), and Leisure and Hospitality (-1,200).
‘Encouraging start’
“Today’s data is an encouraging start to the new year as payroll jobs continue to grow and the state’s workforce remains strong,” Illinois Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the release. “IDES stands ready to assist Illinois jobseekers and employers with vital services that will help to bridge both groups together.”
IDES provides vital employment services to Illinois workers, jobseekers, and employers. Its resources including Job Fairs, IllinoisJobLink.com, and WorkShare IL. It uses them to analyze and disseminate Labor Market Information. IDES also administers the Unemployment Insurance Program.
Kristin Richards, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity added in the release: “Illinois’ world-class workforce remains strong as payroll jobs continue to grow in Illinois. By prioritizing equipping Illinois jobseekers, workers, and businesses with the tools needed to thrive in the state’s growing economy, DCEO is bolstering economic development across numerous sectors throughout Illinois.”
The state’s unemployment rate was +1.0 percentage point higher than the January national unemployment rate of 3.7%. It was unchanged from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was up +0.3 percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.4%.
Biggest job losses
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs decreased by -6,600 jobs, with losses across most major industries. Sectors with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-40,000), Information (-8,100), and Construction (-6,700). The largest job increases were in these industries: Educational and Health Services (+22,300), Government (+22,200), and Leisure and Hospitality (+4,400).
In January, total nonfarm payrolls were down 0.1% over-the-year in Illinois and up 1.9% in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 305,500. That was up 0.3% from the prior month, and up 7.6% over the same month one year ago. The labor force was up 0.1% over-the-month and up 1.1% 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.
In June 2020, Gov. J.B. Pritzker launched Get Hired Illinois. The one-stop-shop website to helps 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 58,289 posted resumes with 94,610 available jobs.
