Illinois February unemployment report

Illinois adds 130,700 private sector jobs since recovery

Unemployment drops to 9.1 percent, 6th consecutive decline

[March 23, 2012]  CHICAGO -- The Illinois unemployment rate fell for the sixth consecutive month in February, dropping 0.3 to 9.1 percent, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Illinois employers added 6,500 jobs during the month. The data is seasonally adjusted.

"February's jobs number is another positive sign in Illinois' economic recovery. Illinois continues its steady economic growth, fueled by monthly increases in job creation and falling unemployment rates," said IDES Director Jay Rowell. "Our recovery is built upon consistent progress that can be seen month to month."

Illinois has added 130,700 private sector jobs since January 2010, when job growth returned to Illinois. Since January 2010, leading growth sectors are professional and business services, up 67,800; educational and health services, up 31,300; manufacturing, up 28,600; and trade, transportation and utilities, up 12,800. Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down 25,900.

Historically, the national unemployment rate is lower than the state rate. Only six times since January 2000 has the Illinois rate been lower than the nation's. That period includes times of economic expansion and contraction. In February 2012, the number of unemployed individuals fell for the sixth consecutive month, decreasing 21,500, or 3.5 percent, to 598,600. Total unemployed has declined 154,200, or 20.5 percent, since January 2010, when the state unemployment rate peaked at 11.4 percent.

The rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. People who exhaust their benefits, or are ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

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. It does so through more than 45 offices, including Illinois workNet centers.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates

	Feb. 2012	Jan. 2012	Feb. 2011	3-mo. moving avg.
Illinois	9.1%	9.4%	9.3%*	9.4%
U.S.	8.3%	8.3%	9.0%*	8.4%

* Revised

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See another table:
Illinois Seasonally Adjusted Non-farm Jobs – by Major Industry

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