Illinois' unemployment rate fell for a third consecutive month in September, dropping to 4.6 percent, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced. That is down 0.1 percentage point from August and up 0.1 percentage point from a year earlier, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The revised August rate was 4.7 percent.
Total nonfarm payrolls decreased over the month, down 7,200 jobs, or 0.1 percent, to 6,164,500, the department said. The August monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from a loss of 4,400 to a loss of 8,300. The September estimates reflect activity for the week that included the 12th.
Where jobs rose and fell
The sectors with the largest monthly payroll increases were Leisure and Hospitality (up 5,700), Construction (up 1,300) and Financial Activities (up 400). The largest monthly decreases came in Government (down 4,600), Private Education and Health Services (down 3,700) and Professional and Business Services (down 2,400).
Compared with a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs were up 13,800. The largest over-the-year increases were in Construction (up 14,300), Leisure and Hospitality (up 8,500) and Private Education and Health Services (up 5,400). The largest over-the-year decreases were in Financial Activities (down 13,500), Information (down 3,000) and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (down 2,800). Illinois payrolls were up 0.2 percent over the year, compared with 0.3 percent nationally.
Unemployment figures
The number of unemployed persons in September was 297,700, down 3.0 percent from August and up 1.8 percent over the year. The labor force was down 0.1 percent from August and down 1.3 percent over the year.
Officials react
"Despite continued economic uncertainty driven by federal policies, Illinois' unemployment rate declined for the third consecutive month—a sign of the resilience of Illinois businesses and workers," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "There is more work to do, and the state remains focused on providing stability where we can, supporting businesses, and connecting Illinoisans with good-paying jobs."
"The decline in unemployment coupled with the increase in payroll jobs reinforces the importance of investing in our state's biggest asset - our workforce," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "DCEO is committed to building upon this momentum by continuing to implement initiatives and programs that create jobs."
Help for jobseekers
IDES said it helps connect jobseekers to employers through job fairs and hiring events and through Illinois JobLink, the state's largest job search engine, at illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov. The department said the site recently showed 60,977 posted resumes and 75,535 jobs available.
The department also noted that monthly 2021-2025 seasonally adjusted labor force and payroll data for Illinois and other states have been revised to reflect new national benchmark controls, population controls and updated inputs, meaning figures cited in previous releases may no longer be valid. More information is available at IDES.Illinois.gov.
Source: the original release