Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois rose 0.1 percentage points in March 2019 to 4.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.6 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 6.9 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.2% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.2 percentage points. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	March 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.8%	0.0	-0.2
Illinois	4.4%	+0.1	+0.1

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 465,769 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 273,521 in August 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 10,911. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	March 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	284,432	+3,133	+3,581

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
April 2019	3.6%	—	—
March 2019	3.8%	4.4%	284,432
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
September 2018	3.7%	4.2%	273,598
August 2018	3.8%	4.2%	273,521
July 2018	3.9%	4.2%	274,368
June 2018	4.0%	4.3%	275,975
May 2018	3.8%	4.3%	277,635