Illinois e-News Release
FOR RELEASE:
January 23, 2025
CONTACT:
Rebecca Cisco | 217.299.8692
Payroll Jobs Up, Unemployment Rate Ticks Up Slightly in December
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in December, up +0.2 percentage point from November, and down -0.3 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised November unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.4 percent.
Total nonfarm payrolls increased over-the-month in December, up +11,800 (+0.2%) to 6,159,300. The November monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from -9,700 to -7,800. The December payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month jobs increases included: Leisure and Hospitality (+7,100), Private Education and Health Services (+4,000), and Government (+2,800). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-3,400), Manufacturing (-2,500), and Construction (-700).
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs were down -1,700 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+17,800), Construction (+7,900) and Information (+4,500). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-17,600), Manufacturing (-9,300), and Professional and Business Services (-6,000). In December, total nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged (0.0%) over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.4 percent in the nation.
“Ongoing headwinds driven in large part by actions at the federal level are creating uncertainty for businesses and workers as they make decisions about investment and hiring,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “This instability is making it harder for employers to plan and for workers to feel secure. Illinois is stepping in where it can as a stabilizing force by strengthening our workforce, supporting employers, and investing in long-term economic growth. We remain focused on building a resilient economy that creates opportunity for Illinois workers across the state.”
“DCEO is committed to continuing our strategic efforts to increase economic opportunity for hard-working Illinoisans,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “The state's wide range of economic development initiatives and programs are critical to strengthening Illinois' economic ecosystem.”
The number of unemployed persons in December was 301,800, up +4.6% from November, and down -8.1% over the same month one year ago. The labor force was almost unchanged (0.0%) from November and -1.6% over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
IDES helps connect jobseekers to employers who are hiring in a number of ways, including hosting and co-hosting job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners, and through maintaining
Illinois JobLink (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine. IJL is a tool used by jobseekers to look for work, and by employers who can post open and available positions for hire and browse resumes. Recently, IJL showed 49,587 posted resumes with 66,750 jobs available. Additionally, in partnership with IDOL and DCEO, IDES published resources to
assist federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations or deferred resignations.
Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Illinois Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Jobs – by Major Industry
- Monthly 1976-2024 seasonally adjusted labor force data for Illinois, and all other states, have been revised as required by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The monthly historical revisions to state labor force estimates reflect new national benchmark controls, state working-age population controls, outlier specifications, seasonal factors, as well as updated total nonfarm jobs and unemployment benefits claims inputs. Illinois labor force data were also smoothed to eliminate large monthly changes as a result of volatility in the monthly Current Population Survey (CPS) and national benchmarking. For these reasons, the comments and tables citing unemployment rates in previous news releases/materials may no longer be valid.
- Monthly seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for Illinois and the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division are available here.
- Monthly 2020-2024 seasonally adjusted nonfarm payroll employment data for Illinois have been revised. To control for potential survey error, the estimates are benchmarked annually to universal counts derived primarily from unemployment insurance tax reports.
- Not seasonally adjusted jobs data with industry detail are available here. “Other Services” include activities in three broad categories: personal and laundry; repair and maintenance; and religious, grant making, civic and professional organizations. Seasonally adjusted data for subsectors within industries are not available.
About the Department of Employment Security
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