The unemployment rate across Illinois increased +0.1 percentage point to 4.8% in December. Nonfarm payrolls increased +1,200, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s latest unemployment news release.
The monthly statistics are based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES.
In the release, IDES said the November revised unemployment rate was 4.7%, or unchanged from the preliminary November data. The November monthly change in payrolls was revised from +6,800 to +4,400 jobs compared to the preliminary figures.
The December unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including Dec. 12th, 2023.
In December, the Illinois industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Leisure and Hospitality (+3,300), Educational and Health Services (+1,700), and Government (+1,100). The largest monthly payroll job declines were in these industry sectors: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-4,900), Information (-1,200), and Other Services (-400).
Caps year of growth
“Today’s report adds the finishing touches on a year of strong, consistent job growth and continued accomplishments surrounding the stabilization of the state’s labor market,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the release. “As we head into the new year, IDES remains committed to the services provided for workforce and employer opportunities and bridging the two together.”
“Illinois continues to see positive economic growth as payroll jobs increase,” added Kristin Richards, director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. “DCEO remains committed to helping Illinois businesses and workers by providing a number of critical resources and opportunities designed to support Illinoisans and bolster the state’s strong workforce.”
The state’s unemployment rate was +1.1 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for December. Nationally, unemployment was 3.7% in December, unchanged from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate also was up +0.2 percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.6%.
Nonfarm jobs increasing
Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll jobs increased by 57,800 jobs, with gains across most major industries. The industry groups with the largest job increases included: Government (+35,500), Educational and Health Services (+29,900), and Leisure and Hospitality (+17,800). Professional and Business Services (-25,900), Information (-6,600) and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-6,500) reported the largest declines in payroll jobs. In December, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.9% over-the-year in Illinois and up +1.7% in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 310,200, up +1.3% from the prior month, and up +4.3% over the same month one year ago. The labor force was almost unchanged 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.
In June 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). It’s the state’s largest job search engine, which recently showed 54,859 posted resumes with 101,172 available jobs.
