Department of Numbers

Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.1 percentage points in March 2023 to 4.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.9 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Illinois peaked in April 2020 at 18.0% and is now 13.6 percentage points lower. From a post peak low of 4.4% in May 2022, the unemployment rate has now grown by 0.0 percentage points. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
National 3.5% -0.1 -0.1
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

Illinois monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to March 2023

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Illinois Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Illinois peaked in April 2020 at 1,129,154. There are now 845,310 fewer people unemployed in the state. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons March 2023 Month/Month Year/Year
Illinois 283,844 -6,010 -10,647

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Illinois from 1990 to March 2023

Illinois Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate		 Illinois
Unemployment Rate		 Illinois
Unemployed
April 2023 3.4% — —
March 2023 3.5% 4.4% 283,844
February 2023 3.6% 4.5% 289,854
January 2023 3.4% 4.5% 294,351
December 2022 3.5% 4.6% 297,260
November 2022 3.6% 4.6% 298,887
October 2022 3.7% 4.6% 300,040
September 2022 3.5% 4.6% 296,389
August 2022 3.7% 4.5% 289,532
July 2022 3.5% 4.4% 286,618
June 2022 3.6% 4.4% 284,897
May 2022 3.6% 4.4% 286,408

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