Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.1 percentage points in August 2018 to 4.1%. The state unemployment rate was 0.2 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 7.2 percentage points lower. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.9%	0.0	-0.5
Illinois	4.1%	-0.1	-0.9

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 481,467 fewer people unemployed in the state. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	August 2018	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	268,734	-3,467	-54,443

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
September 2018	3.7%	—	—
August 2018	3.9%	4.1%	268,734
July 2018	3.9%	4.2%	272,201
June 2018	4.0%	4.3%	275,721
May 2018	3.8%	4.3%	278,849
April 2018	3.9%	4.4%	287,144
March 2018	4.1%	4.6%	297,639
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