Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.1 percentage points in April 2012 to 8.7%. The state unemployment rate was 0.6 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Illinois peaked in January 2010 at 11.4% and is now 2.7 percentage points lower. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	April 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.1%	-0.1	-0.9
Illinois	8.7%	-0.1	-0.8

Unemployment Rate: Illinois, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Illinois Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Illinois peaked in January 2010 at 752,821. There are now 181,316 fewer people unemployed in the state. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	April 2012	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	571,505	-9,611	-49,725

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
April 2012	8.1%	8.7%	571,505
March 2012	8.2%	8.8%	581,116
February 2012	8.3%	9.1%	598,396
January 2012	8.3%	9.4%	620,069
December 2011	8.5%	9.7%	638,359
November 2011	8.7%	9.8%	648,491
October 2011	8.9%	10.0%	657,832
September 2011	9.0%	10.1%	665,427
August 2011	9.1%	10.2%	668,549
July 2011	9.1%	10.1%	664,119
June 2011	9.1%	9.9%	652,044
May 2011	9.0%	9.7%	635,691
April 2011	9.0%	9.5%	621,230