Illinois Jobless Rate at Record 3.9%

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reported that nonfarm payrolls increased 4,800 jobs compared to last month, and the unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in September, down 0.1 percentage point from the prior month. The September unemployment rate established a new record low for the state, following the previous record set in August. The August monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report (from -1,400 to -5,800 jobs).

The state’s unemployment rate is 0.4 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate reported for September 2019, which was 3.5 percent and down 0.2 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was down 0.3 percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.2 percent.

Illinois payroll employment has shown variability since the beginning of the year, as have national payrolls. Average payroll employment in Illinois during the July to September three-month period, which provides a more stable measure of payroll employment change, was about unchanged, up 100 jobs. The largest average gains were found in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+1,400), Government (+600), Financial Activities (+400) and Educational and Health Services (+400).

“We’re working hard to make sure Illinois’ economy works for everyone, and this administration is pleased to see the unemployment rate in Illinois reach a historic low – and we’ll keep building on that success by strengthening schools, improving our business climate and investing in infrastructure,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.

Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +66,600 jobs with the largest gains in these industry sectors in September: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+17,900), Leisure and Hospitality (+16,700) and Educational and Health Services (+14,900). The industry sectors with over-the-year declines were: Information (-3,300), Mining (-400) and Construction (-100). Illinois nonfarm payrolls were up +1.1 percent over-the-year as compared to the nation’s +1.4 percent over-the-year gain in September.