January Unemployment Rate Falls to 9.0 Percent

CHICAGO - The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell for the 12th consecutive month, dropping -0.2 to 9.0 percent in January, according to preliminary estimates released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The last time the state rate was below 9.0 percent was February 2009. The national January rate fell -0.4 to 9.0 percent. The Illinois rate has been equal to or below the national rate since October 2010. Illinois' three-month moving average also fell -0.2 to 9.2 percent in January.

"Long-term trends of falling unemployment rates and rising job numbers continue and reflect a strengthening Illinois economy," IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell said. "As Illinois continues to push through the effects of the national recession, slight up-and-down movement in monthly estimates of unemployment rates and job growth is to be expected."

The seasonally adjusted payroll employment estimate for January increased +24,500 compared to the revised December level. January historically is a difficult month in which to capture employment data. Additionally, federal changes in data estimation have caused larger monthly fluctuations. The three-month moving average of payroll employment gain of +6,700 net jobs in January is more indicative of the current job market. Below-trend seasonal hiring during the fourth quarter of 2010 produced overstated estimates of job loss in November and December.

Since January 2010, Illinois' job growth has been led by the Professional and Business Services (+27,400); Educational and Health Services (+21,400); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+15,400); and Manufacturing (+10,900).

In January, the number of unemployed individuals fell for the 12th consecutive month, dropping -14,000 (-2.3 percent) to 599,400, the lowest level since February 2009. Total unemployed has declined -140,700 (-19.0 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. 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 nearly 60 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 3, 2011 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 2006-2010 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 also 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 as 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://lmi.ides.state.il.us/cesfiles/cescurrent.htm.
• "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://lmi.ides.state.il.us/laus/icmaur.htm.