Illinois Payroll Jobs Hold Steady, Unemployment Rate Unchanged in May

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today nonfarm payrolls were nearly unchanged over-the-month, up +100 (0.0%) to 6,166,100 in May. Additionally, the April monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +4,100 to -2,400.

The unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in May, while the revised April unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, unchanged from the preliminary April unemployment rate. The May payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th. 

The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job increases included: Professional and Business Services (+1,900), Financial Activities (+1,600),  and Leisure and Hospitality (+1,100). The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll job decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-2,800), Government (-2,400), and Private Education and Health Services (-200). 

Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +21,200 jobs.  The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+16,100), Leisure and Hospitality (+7,800), and Government (+7,000). The industry groups with jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-8,600), Manufacturing     (-5,300), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-5,000). In May, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.3 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +1.1 percent in the nation.

"Amid continued challenges and changes in economic policies on the federal level, Illinois' labor market remained stable in May," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "The state's steady economic performance provides a reliable foundation for businesses and workers as they navigate changing conditions."

"A steady labor market is a testament to the state's strength and commitment to creating economic growth and opportunity for all Illinoisans," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "DCEO is dedicated to prioritizing investments in our workforce to help bolster Illinois' economy."

The number of unemployed workers was 318,600, down -1.0% from the prior month, and down -5.9 percent over the same month one year ago.  The labor force decreased (-0.2%) over-the-month and was almost unchanged (0.0%) 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 59,637 posted resumes with 67,400 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.