Growth in Illinois Payroll Jobs, Unemployment Rate Up in July

By Editor | August 20, 2024 |

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate increased +0.2 percentage point to 5.2 percent, while nonfarm payrolls increased +12,900 in July, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), and released by IDES. The June revised unemployment rate was 5.0 percent, unchanged from the preliminary June unemployment rate. The June monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +10,400 to -4,300 jobs. The July unemployment rate and payroll jobs estimate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
In July, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included: Government (+11,400), Private Education and Health Services (+3,400), and Other Services (+2,300). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job declines included Manufacturing (-2,500), Leisure and Hospitality (-1,500), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-800).
“Steady job growth continues to drive the Illinois labor market, creating fresh opportunities for new and existing jobseekers entering the state’s growing workforce,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “IDES continues its role as a critical, key resource in connecting workers and employers to assist with employment needs throughout the state.”
“As job growth continues throughout the state, DCEO remains committed to supporting Illinois’ talented, educated workforce, employers and job seekers,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “A strong labor market bolsters economic growth across Illinois.”
The state’s unemployment rate was +0.9 percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate reported for July. The national unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in July, up +0.2 percentage point from the previous month. The Illinois unemployment rate was up +0.8 percentage point from a year ago when it was 4.4 percent.
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +37,300 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Government (+34,200), Private Education and Health Services (+24,400), and Other Services (+11,200). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-27,200), Financial Activities (-6,300), and Information (-4,800). In July, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.6 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +1.6 percent in the nation.
The number of unemployed workers was 341,600, up +4.2 percent from the prior month, and up +19.4 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was up +0.2 percent over-the-month and up +1.4 percent 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 59,588 posted resumes with 85,766 jobs available.