Department of Numbers

Illinois Unemployment

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.3 percentage points in February 2021 to 7.4%. The state unemployment rate was 1.2 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Illinois peaked in April 2020 at 16.5% and is now 9.1 percentage points lower. You can also see Illinois unemployment compared to other states.

Unemployment Rate February 2021 Month/Month Year/Year
National 6.2% -0.1 +2.7
Illinois 7.4% -0.3 +3.8

Note: All comparisons are made with February data as March state level unemployment data has not yet been released.

Unemployment Rate: Illinois, National

Illinois monthly unemployment rate chart from 1990 to February 2021

Note: Recessions shown in gray

Illinois Unemployed

The number of people unemployed in Illinois peaked in April 2020 at 996,478. There are now 542,238 fewer people unemployed in the state. Illinois job growth data is also available.

Unemployed Persons February 2021 Month/Month Year/Year
Illinois 454,240 -18,689 +227,820

Number of Unemployed Persons

Monthly chart of total unemployed in Illinois from 1990 to February 2021

Illinois Unemployment History

Date National
Unemployment Rate		 Illinois
Unemployment Rate		 Illinois
Unemployed
March 2021 6.0% — —
February 2021 6.2% 7.4% 454,240
January 2021 6.3% 7.7% 472,929
December 2020 6.7% 8.0% 490,873
November 2020 6.7% 8.1% 499,218
October 2020 6.9% 8.1% 512,477
September 2020 7.8% 10.4% 660,663
August 2020 8.4% 11.1% 695,651
July 2020 10.2% 12.0% 737,271
June 2020 11.1% 14.2% 903,332
May 2020 13.3% 15.4% 946,880
April 2020 14.8% 16.5% 996,478

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