Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.1 percentage points in March 2018 to 4.6%. The state unemployment rate was 0.5 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 6.7 percentage points lower. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	March 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	4.1%	0.0	-0.4
Illinois	4.6%	-0.1	-0.4

Note: All comparisons are made with March data as April 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 452,519 fewer people unemployed in the state. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	March 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	297,682	-7,623	-24,167

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
April 2018	3.9%	—	—
March 2018	4.1%	4.6%	297,682
February 2018	4.1%	4.7%	305,305
January 2018	4.1%	4.8%	311,505
December 2017	4.1%	4.9%	318,122
November 2017	4.1%	4.9%	318,377
October 2017	4.1%	4.9%	319,561
September 2017	4.2%	5.0%	321,870
August 2017	4.4%	5.0%	323,177
July 2017	4.3%	5.0%	322,091
June 2017	4.3%	4.9%	319,375
May 2017	4.3%	4.9%	317,410