Illinois Adds Jobs in March as Unemployment Rate Edges Higher (Springfield, IL) – Illinois added jobs in March, but the state’s unemployment rate ticked up slightly, according to new data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
The unemployment rate rose to 5.1% in March, up 0.1 percentage point from February and 0.5 points higher than a year ago. The revised February rate was 5.0%.
Despite the increase in unemployment, total nonfarm payrolls grew by 8,400 jobs over the month, reaching 6,145,500. Gains were led by Private Education and Health Services, which added 7,900 jobs, followed by Professional and Business Services (+1,600) and Government (+1,400).
However, several sectors saw declines, including Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-2,000), Financial Activities (-800), and Manufacturing (-700).
Over the past year, total nonfarm payrolls declined by 4,300 jobs in Illinois. The largest losses were in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-18,900), Professional and Business Services (-6,700), and Manufacturing (-5,300). Meanwhile, Private Education and Health Services (+21,700), Construction (+6,500), and Government (+3,600) posted the biggest gains.
IDES reported that 334,700 Illinois residents were unemployed in March, an increase of 1.9% from the previous month and 9.5% higher than a year earlier. The labor force remained essentially unchanged from February but was down 0.8% year-over-year.
State officials pointed to mixed economic signals, noting job growth in some sectors alongside ongoing challenges in others. IDES continues to connect jobseekers with employers through Illinois JobLink, which currently lists more than 71,000 available positions and over 57,000 resumes.
Illinois Adds Jobs in March as Unemployment Rate Edges Higher
