'Historic Low' Unemployment Rate In Illinois

ILLINOIS — The state unemployment rate hit 4 percent in August — the lowest on record, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Illinois also ended the month with 65,000 more jobs than it did a year ago, IDES said, noting that the largest job gains came in educational and health services (+17,900 jobs), leisure and hospitality (+14,300) and trade, transportation and utilities (+10,300).

The August unemployment rate was also 0.2 percentage points down compared to July, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Despite the uptick in the Illinois job market, the state’s unemployment rate is still 0.3 percentage points higher than the national unemployment rate reported for August 2019. The U.S. rate was 3.7 percent, the same as it was in July.

The number of unemployed workers in Illinois decreased in August by -3.7 percent to 262,500, a record low, IDES said. The unemployment rate includes anyone who is out of work and seeking employment. Those who have exhausted or are ineligible for benefits are still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

Average payroll employment growth in Illinois during the June to August three-month period was 2,500 jobs, with the largest gains in educational and health services (900 jobs), government (900 jobs) and financial activities (700 jobs).