 "Illinois' economy continues to take positive steps forward despite
the pressures of an uneven national recovery," said IDES Director
Jay Rowell. "Illinois has recorded job growth in seven of 12 months.
We have averaged 4,400 new jobs each month in 2011. Monthly
snapshots are just that, but looking at long-term trends reveals the
path we are taking. Our long-term growth trajectory shows Illinois'
economy moving forward and in the right direction."Illinois added
52,600 jobs in 2011 and 95,900 jobs since January 2010, when job
growth returned to Illinois after 23 consecutive months of declines.
Since January 2010, leading growth sectors in Illinois are
professional and business services, up 49,600; educational and
health services, up 38,900; trade, transportation and utilities, up
20,300; and manufacturing, up 19,400. Government has lost the most
jobs since January 2010, down 13,400.
In December 2011, unemployed individuals decreased for the second
consecutive month, down 13,100, or 2.0 percent, to 647,300. Total
unemployed has declined 92,800, or 12.5 percent, since January 2010,
when the state unemployment rate peaked at 11.2 percent.
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and
seeking employment. Individuals who exhaust their benefits or are
ineligible still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they
actively seek work.
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The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment
benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits,
connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing
economic information to assist career planning and economic
development. The department does so through nearly 60 offices,
including Illinois workNet centers.
___
See tables of seasonally adjusted
unemployment rates and job figures by categories.
[Text from
news release from the
Illinois Department of Employment
Security]
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