Illinois’ unemployment rate in November held steady at 4.4% compared to September and nonfarm payrolls remained largely unchanged, dipping just -0.5 percentage point over that same month, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reports.
The latest analysis was released Tuesday, Jan. 6, and created from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Unlike typical IDES job reports, November’s month-to-month totals were based on figures from September rather than October. The reason, IDES said, is that labor force data could not be collected from households in October when federal workers were idled by the government shutdown.
The 2025 November payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
The September monthly change in payrolls, on which this report is based, was revised from the preliminary report from -2,200 to -3,400. IDES’ current November report shows payrolls are nearly statistically unchanged over September totals; down -9,700, or -0.2%, to 6,145,600.
The state’s industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs decreases over September included: Transportation and Utilities -2,900; Leisure and Hospitality -2,300; and Manufacturing -1,600.
The industry sectors with over-the-month jobs increases included: Construction +1,600; and Private Education and Health Services +800.
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll decreased by -3,200 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities -11,500; Leisure and Hospitality -8,400; and Professional and Business Services -8,300.
Payroll bright spots
The industry groups with the largest job increases compared to a year ago included: Private Education and Health Services +17,200; Construction +9,300; and Information +3,400. Total November nonfarm payrolls were down -0.1% over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.6% in the nation.
“Though the Illinois unemployment rate remains stable, the payroll data underscores the severe uncertainty created by the federal government and shines a light on the increased challenges states will face if another shutdown occurs at the end of the month,” Illinois Deputy Governor Andy Manar said in the IDES release.
“In the absence of reliable federal leadership, Illinois will remain committed to ensuring the state’s workforce ecosystem has the tools it needs to employ jobseekers and attract and retain business,” he added.
The number of unemployed Illinoisans in November was 288,600, up +0.5% from September, and down -12.0% over the same month one year ago.
The labor force decreased -0.3% from September and -1.6% 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.
Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Director Kristin Richards said “While the unemployment rate remains stable, DCEO is committed to advancing and increasing economic opportunity across the state.”
She added, “The continued success of DCEO’s strategic initiatives and programs are critical to opening and strengthening opportunities for career-seekers and employers.”
About IDES
IDES helps connect jobseekers to employers who are hiring, including hosting and co-hosting job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners, and through maintaining Illinois 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 51,651 posted resumes with 65,157 jobs available. Additionally, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Labor and DCEO, IDES published resources to assist federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations or deferred resignations.
To see the full range of services provided by IDES, and for the latest news concerning the department, visit IDES.Illinois.gov.
