Illinois Adds 130,700 Private Sector Jobs Since Recovery

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 today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). 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,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “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 (+67,800); Educational and Health Services (+31,300); Manufacturing (+28,600); and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+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 (-3.5 percent) to 598,600. Total unemployed has declined -154,200 (-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. A person who exhausts benefits, or is 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.

Please note that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics requires revisions to monthly employment and labor force data. The revisions occur each February based upon updated Census data, unemployment insurance inputs and seasonal factors. Data and analysis distributed prior to March 1, 2012 should be discarded.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Illinois Seasonally Adjusted Non-farm Jobs – by Major Industry

Notes:

• Illinois monthly labor force, unemployed and unemployment rates for years 2007-2011 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, non-farm jobs and unemployment insurance claims inputs. Data were smoothed to eliminate large monthly changes as a result of volatility in the monthly household (CPS) survey. Comments and tables distributed in prior Illinois unemployment rate news release materials should be discarded because any analysis, including records, previously cited might no longer be valid.
• Seasonally adjusted employment data for subsectors within industries are not available.  For not seasonally adjusted jobs data with greater industry detail, go to http://www.ides.illinois.gov/Custom/Library/Statistic/CES/I_NSA_CES_Illinois_MSAs_Jobs_2000_to_Current.XLS .
• “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.
• Monthly seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for Illinois and the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metropolitan Division are available at: http://www.ides.illinois.gov/page.aspx?item=2509 .