Higher Employment Reported in February in Illinois

The February unemployment rate in Illinois was 4.8%, an improvement of 0.2% from the 5.0% from January. Non-farm payrolls increased by 19,600 jobs in February.

In February, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment were Trade, Transportation and Utilities; Leisure and Hospitality; and Educational and Health Services. The industry sectors that reported monthly payroll declines were Professional and Business Services and Financial Activities.

The state's unemployment rate was 1.% higher than the national unemployment rate reported for February, 3.8%, down 0.2% from the previous month.

The Illinois unemployment rate for February was 2.1% lower than in February 2021, when it was ata 6.9%.

Compared to a year ago, nonfarm payroll employment increased by 244,800 jobs.