SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — On Thursday, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced that the unemployment rate fell 0.1 percentage point to 4.8 percent in February, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Illinois' January unemployment rate was 4.9 percent.
The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll job decreases included: Government (-5,600), Leisure and Hospitality (-3,100), and Private Education and Health Services (-1,700).
“While this month’s headline unemployment rate shows little change, a deeper look at the report reveals the start of a troubling trend—federal government workers being victim to the chaos unleashed by Elon Musk and the Trump Administration,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “Despite this alarming new trend, the report also reflects the resiliency of the state’s economy, due in part to the investment in key growing industries made by this Administration. IDES stands ready to provide critical resources to support federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations.”
“Illinois’ resilient workforce continues to make progress as unemployment rates fall,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “The State of Illinois remains committed to providing the resources and opportunities necessary for both employers and job seekers to thrive in Illinois’ growing economy.”
IDES helps connect jobseekers to employers who are hiring in a number of ways, including hosting and co-hosting job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners, and through maintaining Illinois JobLink (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine.
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