The state of Illinois reported a stable unemployment rate and an increase in payroll jobs for March, holding the line at 4.8 percent, the same figure as February, according to information released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Employment gains in the Land of Lincoln saw a bump of 12,700 nonfarm jobs, based on preliminary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as seen on the IDES website.
Significant job growth occurred in sectors such as Government, which added 3,300 positions, Leisure and Hospitality, which gained 2,900 jobs, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities, climbing by 2,400 positions. Conversely, sectors such as Financial Activities and Mining saw a decrease in payroll positions, shedding 1,100 and 100 jobs, respectively. Deputy Governor Andy Manar highlighted the positive figures, stating, "Growth in payroll jobs throughout industry sectors continues to fuel the strength of the Illinois labor market and statewide economy," directly pointing to the burgeoning opportunities for Illinois' workforce.
While the local unemployment rate remained steady, it was reported to be 1.0 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate, which sat at 3.8 percent for March. The gap between the state and national unemployment rates marks a distinct difference, although Illinois' rate has only seen a 0.6 percentage point increase from the previous year when it was at 4.2 percent. This indicates a slow but upward trend in joblessness within the state's borders.
The year-over-year job numbers tell a mixed story, with Illinois seeing gains across most industry groups like Government – up by 30,100 jobs – and Private Education and Health Services – with an increase of 24,000 positions. In contrast, sectors such as Professional and Business Services sustained a loss of 37,600 jobs, and Information also dipped by 6,500 positions. Despite these losses, DCEO Director Kristin Richards spoke positively of the future, noting, "Continued growth in payroll jobs serves as a testament to Illinois companies continuing to invest in our communities and workforce," signaling confidence in the state’s economic trajectory.
However, the number of unemployed workers in Illinois has reportedly risen to 312,200, marking a 1.1 percent increase from the previous month and a significant 15.5 percent rise over the same month last year. This suggests that, while jobs are being created and the labor force is experiencing a gentle over-the-month growth of 0.1 percent and a 1.2 percent increase over the year, not all Illinois residents are feeling the benefits of the purported economic upswing. Additionally, the IDES continues its efforts to match jobseekers with employers through job fairs and Illinois JobLink, the state's largest job search engine, which currently lists 59,280 resumes and 92,511 job openings.
