 Illinois added 3,100 jobs
in August, while nationally there was zero job growth because
reductions in government employment offset private-sector gains. The
national unemployment rate for August was unchanged at 9.1 percent.
Most private economists agree that the recovery from the national
recession will continue, but at a more gradual pace in the second
half of the year. "Consumer confidence drives our nation's
economy. That confidence was shaken by events at the national
level," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "It is difficult for any
state economy to establish positive momentum while the nation's jobs
growth picture remains sluggish."
Illinois has added 36,300 jobs so far this year and 79,600 jobs
since January 2010, when job growth returned to Illinois after 23
consecutive months of declines. January 2010 also marked the plateau
of the unemployment rate after 33 consecutive month-over-month
increases. Since then, the monthly unemployment rate has declined 15
times and increased four when compared with the previous month.
Since January 2010, leading growth sectors have been professional
and business services, up 36,600; educational and health services,
up 25,800; manufacturing, up 19,700; and trade, transportation and
utilities, up 17,200. Compared with August 2010, employment in
Illinois is up 42,400, led by educational and health services, up
14,800; professional and business services, up 11,800; and
manufacturing, up 11,500.
In August 2011, the number of unemployed individuals increased
25,400, or 4.0 percent, to 653,000 compared with July. The total
number of unemployed has declined 87,100, an 11.8 decrease, since
January 2010, when the state unemployment rate peaked at 11.2
percent.
[to top of second column] |
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and
seeking employment. Individuals who exhaust their benefits or are
ineligible will continue to 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 nearly 60 offices,
including Illinois workNet centers.
Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates
| |
Aug.
2011 |
July
2011 |
Aug.
2010 |
3-month
moving
average |
|
Illinois |
9.9% |
9.5% |
10.0%* |
9.5% |
|
U.S. |
9.1% |
9.1% |
9.6%* |
9.1% |
*Revised
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Employment Security
file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information]
 |
