SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the state’s jobless average went up last month, but so did job growth.
Using federal data, the state says the state unemployment rate inched up 0.1%, point to 4.7%. The state says that means more people are looking to return to the labor force.
The state says job growth has been consistent, with Leisure and Hospitality jobs leading the charge in the month-over-month figures, followed by Professional and Business Services, and Education and Health Services. Transportation and Utilities, Trade, Government, and Manufacturing all saw job declines in the period.
“Over the past year and a half, Illinois has seen strong, consistent job growth throughout the state, attracting more and more workers to the labor market” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar, in a news release. “As job growth continues to expand, IDES has the tools and resources jobseekers and employers need to match eligible workers with the best open positions.”
State officials say that marks a year and a half of consecutive months of job growth.
