Illinois Job Numbers Flat in May, Unemployment Rate Unchanged

SPRINGFIELD  – Illinois nonfarm payroll jobs held steady in May, increasing by just 100 positions to 6,166,100, while the state’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8%, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Revisions to April’s data showed a decrease of 2,400 jobs instead of the previously reported gain. The largest job gains in May came from professional and business services, financial activities, and leisure and hospitality, while trade, transportation and utilities, government, and health services saw the biggest losses. Compared to last year, Illinois added 21,200 jobs, a 0.3% increase, trailing the national growth rate of 1.1%. The number of unemployed workers dropped 1% from April and 5.9% from May 2024.