Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.2 percentage points in December 2011 to 9.8%. The state unemployment rate was 1.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Illinois peaked in January 2010 at 11.2% and is now 1.4 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 8.7% in April 2011, the unemployment rate has now grown by 1.1 percentage points. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	8.5%	-0.2	-0.9
Illinois	9.8%	-0.2	+0.6

Note: All comparisons are made with December data as January state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Illinois, National

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Illinois Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Illinois peaked in January 2010 at 740,050. There are now 92,760 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 575,152 in April 2011, the number of unemployed has now grown by 72,138. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2011	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	647,290	-13,138	+33,891

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
January 2012	8.3%	—	—
December 2011	8.5%	9.8%	647,290
November 2011	8.7%	10.0%	660,428
October 2011	8.9%	10.1%	668,685
September 2011	9.0%	10.0%	663,097
August 2011	9.1%	9.9%	652,812
July 2011	9.1%	9.5%	627,586
June 2011	9.1%	9.1%	603,521
May 2011	9.0%	8.9%	584,813
April 2011	9.0%	8.7%	575,152
March 2011	8.9%	8.8%	581,948
February 2011	9.0%	8.9%	588,323
January 2011	9.1%	9.0%	599,217