The unemployment rate across Illinois rose +0.1 percentage point over the month in March to 5.1%, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reported.
According to the monthly jobs report, released today, May 1, unemployment also was up +0.5 percentage point from March 2025 based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The slight rate increase came as total nonfarm payrolls increased over-the-month in March, up +8,400 (+0.1%) to 6,145,500.
IDES said the state’s February unemployment rate was revised to 5%. In addition, the February monthly change in payrolls was revised from down -17,800 in the preliminary report to down -17,900.
In March, the state’s industry sectors posting the largest monthly payroll jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+7,900), Professional and Business Services (+1,600), and Government (+1,400). The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-2,000), Financial Activities (-800), and Manufacturing (-700).
The March payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
Compared to a year ago, Illinois’ total nonfarm payroll jobs were down -4,300 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-18,900), Professional and Business Services (-6,700), and Manufacturing (-5,300). The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+21,700), Construction (+6,500) and Government (+3,600).
In March, total nonfarm payrolls were down -0.1% over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.2% in the nation.
In the Illinois section of the Quad Cities, that latest unemployment report showed the region unemployment rose 0.5% to 6.1% in February. The March statistics have not yet been released.
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“While Illinois added jobs in March, rising unemployment and continued softness in key sectors reflect broader economic uncertainty coming out of Washington,” Illinois Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the IDES news release. “The Trump Administration’s policies are creating real headwinds for states and working families across the country. In Illinois, we’re staying focused on fiscal discipline and long-term growth to mitigate those impacts and keep our economy moving forward.”
While some sectors showed continued growth in March, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards said “DCEO remains laser-focused on our economic development initiatives that open doors for all Illinoisans. The State is committed to implementing programs that strategically build upon this momentum.”
The monthly release also showed 334,700 people were unemployed in March, which was up +1.9% from February, and up +9.5% over the same month one year ago. The labor force size was almost unchanged (0.0%) from February and down -0.8% over-the-year.
IDES helps connect jobseekers to employers including by hosting and co-hosting job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners. It also maintains Illinois JobLink (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine. The IJL recently showed 57,093 posted resumes with 71,718 jobs available.
In addition, IDES partners with the Illinois Department of Labor and DCEO to provide resources to assist federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations or deferred resignations.
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 if they actively seek work.
