Unemployment Rate in Illinois at 7.4% in February

The Illinois unemployment rate for February was at 7.4%, down from 7.7% in January. Non-farm payrolls were up 21,100 jobs for the month, according to the illinois Department of Employment Security.

In February, the three industry sectors with the largest over-the-month gains in employment were Leisure and Hospitality (+32,300); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+2,400); and Information (+700). 

The industry sectors that reported the largest monthly payroll declines were: Construction (-5,600); Professional and Business Services (-4,500); and Government (-2,200).

The Illinois jobless rate for February was 1.2% higher than the national rate of 6.2%. The state unemployment rate for February 2020, the last month before the pandemic swung into full gear, was 3.6%.