National economic recession triggers further job losses in Illinois

[January 24, 2009]  CHICAGO -- Payroll employment in Illinois decreased 36,000 in December, representing the seventh consecutive month of job loss, according to data released Friday by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The December seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.6 percent. That is a 0.3 percent increase over November and the highest monthly rate since June 1993. In November and December, Illinois lost a combined 73,600 jobs. That is the largest two-month decline since 1990, the year the data classification system began. Also in December, the total number of unemployed individuals in Illinois was 505,300, exceeding 500,000 for the first time since February 1992.

"We understand that this poor national economy has been challenging for many Illinoisans, and to better meet their needs we have expanded a number of services," said Maureen O'Donnell, director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. "Internet claim filing is now available on our website; TeleServe hours have been expanded for claim certification; and we have added and continue to add staff to better serve our customers. Our website, ides.state.il.us, provides a safe, efficient and convenient way to file for unemployment benefits, obtain answers to questions and explore services that are available to assist in a job search."

Nationally, the unemployment rate continued to increase in December, rising to a 16-year high of 7.2 percent. Payroll employment also continued its decline for the 12th consecutive month, dropping an additional 524,000 during December. Job losses during 2008 now total 2.6 million.

In Illinois, employment in the construction sector declined 13,400 jobs in December. In the last four months, construction has shrunk by 28,300 jobs. That represents more than 10 percent of the total construction work force. The trade and transportation sector dropped 8,600 jobs over the month because the distribution and sale of goods decreased nationally. Manufacturing lost 5,200 jobs in December.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security administers federally funded employment services and unemployment insurance through its nearly 60 offices, including the Illinois workNet Center. IDES also receives federal grants to provide and analyze labor market statistics and information.

(See tables below.)

[Text from Illinois Department of Employment Security file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]

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Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

	December 2008	November 2008	December 2007
Illinois	7.6%	7.3%*	5.3%*
U.S.	7.2%	6.8%	4.9%
* Revised

Illinois Seasonally Adjusted Non-Farm Jobs – by Major Industry

Industry Title	December* 2008	November** 2008	December** 2007	Over the Month Change	Over the Year Change
Total Non-Farm	5,885,800	5,921,800	5,986,500	-36,000	-100,700
Mining	10,000	9,800	9,700	200	300
Construction	233,700	247,100	267,700	-13,400	-34,000
Manufacturing	654,800	660,000	673,000	-5,200	-18,200
Trade, Transportation, & Utilities	1,196,500	1,205,100	1,212,400	-8,600	-15,900
Information	113,800	114,200	116,400	-400	-2,600
Financial Activities	393,400	393,500	403,200	-100	-9,800
Professional and Business Services	861,900	866,500	871,500	-4,600	-9,600
Educational and Health Services	790,700	791,700	784,700	-1,000	6,000
Leisure and Hospitality	521,900	523,500	530,200	-1,600	-8,300
Other Services	256,800	258,800	265,300	-2,000	-8,500
Government	852,300	851,600	852,400	700	-100
	*Preliminary   **Revised

Notes:

• Seasonally-adjusted employment data for subsectors within industries are not available.

• "Other Services" includes a wide range of activities in three broad categories: Personal and laundry; repair and maintenance; and religious, grant making, civic and professional organizations. For a list of all activities under Other Services and all other industry sectors, go to http://www.census.gov/epcd/naics02/naico602.htm.

• For not-seasonally-adjusted jobs data showing greater industry detail, go to http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/cesfiles/cescurrent.htm.

• Monthly seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for Illinois and the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metropolitan Division are available at: http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/laus/icmaur.htm.

• Illinois monthly labor force, unemployed and unemployment rates for years 2003-2007 have been revised as required by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In February of each year, monthly labor force data for all states are revised to reflect updated Census population controls, seasonal factors and state supplied non-farm jobs and UI claims inputs. The revised monthly data are also smoothed to eliminate large changes as a result of volatility in the monthly household (CPS) survey. Comments and tables distributed for prior monthly Illinois unemployment rate news releases should be discarded. Any records and other historical analysis previously cited for Illinois labor force, number of unemployed and unemployment rates may no longer be valid under the revised monthly time series.

• Per BLS, revised monthly data will be produced in the LAUS program for the first time since 2005. As a result, both statewide and sub-state labor force, employed, unemployed and unemployment rates for the previous data month will be subject to revision, beginning with the release of February 2008 estimates.

[Tables copied from Illinois Department of Employment Security file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]