Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.2 percentage points in August 2019 to 4.0%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Illinois peaked in December 2009 at 11.3% and is now 7.3 percentage points lower. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.7%	0.0	-0.1
Illinois	4.0%	-0.2	-0.2

Note: All comparisons are made with August data as September 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 750,201. There are now 487,727 fewer people unemployed in the state. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	262,474	-10,102	-11,047

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
September 2019	3.5%	—	—
August 2019	3.7%	4.0%	262,474
July 2019	3.7%	4.2%	272,576
June 2019	3.7%	4.3%	277,421
May 2019	3.6%	4.4%	285,116
April 2019	3.6%	4.4%	286,666
March 2019	3.8%	4.4%	284,395
February 2019	3.8%	4.3%	281,299
January 2019	4.0%	4.3%	280,474
December 2018	3.9%	4.3%	276,474
November 2018	3.7%	4.3%	275,931
October 2018	3.8%	4.2%	274,651