Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.1 percentage points in December 2019 to 3.7%. 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 7.6 percentage points lower. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	December 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	3.5%	0.0	-0.4
Illinois	3.7%	-0.1	-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 750,201. There are now 510,140 fewer people unemployed in the state. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	December 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	240,061	-5,962	-36,413

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
January 2020	3.6%	—	—
December 2019	3.5%	3.7%	240,061
November 2019	3.5%	3.8%	246,023
October 2019	3.6%	3.9%	250,959
September 2019	3.5%	3.9%	255,927
August 2019	3.7%	4.0%	262,464
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