Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.0 percentage points in January 2019 to 4.3%. 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 7.0 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.2% in July 2018, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.1 percentage points. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
National	4.0%	+0.1	-0.1
Illinois	4.3%	0.0	-0.1

Note: All comparisons are made with January data as February 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 469,669 fewer people unemployed in the state. From a recent trough of 273,521 in August 2018, the number of unemployed has now grown by 7,011. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons	January 2019	Month/Month	Year/Year
Illinois	280,532	+4,058	-7,632

Number of Unemployed Persons

Illinois Unemployment History

Date	National Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployment Rate	Illinois Unemployed
February 2019	3.8%	—	—
January 2019	4.0%	4.3%	280,532
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
April 2018	3.9%	4.3%	279,073
March 2018	4.0%	4.3%	280,851