The Illinois unemployment rate dipped to 6.4 percent in November as employers added 2,300 jobs, according to preliminary figures released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. However, the revised number of jobs lost in October — 2,200 — barely offsets this month’s gains.
Statewide unemployment data is seasonally adjusted, which means any seasonal or regular patterns that affect workforce numbers are reflected in the statistics. Additionally, people who have dropped out of the workforce are not counted in the monthly jobless reports.
Of the 2,300 new jobs created, all but 300 came from the private sector. Manufacturing, which has been battered by job losses throughout most of 2014, led the state’s industries in job growth, posting a gain of 3,600 new payroll positions — though there were 600 more manufacturing jobs one year ago. The trade, transportation and utilities sector saw 8,700 jobs disappear, with most of the damage occurring in retail trade.
More from IDES:
In November, the number of unemployed individuals declined -7,900 (1.8 percent) to 421,000. Total unemployed has fallen -332,500 (-44.1 percent) since the unemployment rate peaked at 11.4 percent in January 2010. The labor force grew by +16,500 (0.3 percent) to 6,547,000.
The Illinois unemployment rate was 9.7 percent in November 2013; the national unemployment is currently 5.8 percent.
Industry | Sept-14 | Oct-14 | *Nov-14 | Over-the-Month Change |
Total Nonfarm | 5,858,300 | 5,856,100 | 5,858,400 | 2,300 |
Mining | 10,000 | 9,900 | 10,000 | 100 |
Construction | 204,000 | 203,300 | 205,400 | 2,100 |
Manufacturing | 572,600 | 573,400 | 577,000 | 3,600 |
Trade, Transportation & Utilities | 1,171,700 | 1,171,000 | 1,162,300 | -8,700 |
Information | 97,600 | 96,400 | 97,300 | 900 |
Financial Activities | 369,800 | 368,300 | 368,800 | 500 |
Professional and Business Services | 909,700 | 909,500 | 910,900 | 1,400 |
Educational and Health Services | 885,400 | 888,900 | 889,100 | 200 |
Leisure and Hospitality | 547,500 | 548,800 | 550,700 | 1,900 |
Other Services | 255,400 | 255,000 | 255,000 | 0 |
Government | 834,600 | 831,600 | 831,900 | 300 |
*November figures are preliminary.
“Key economic points in November show our economy continues to move forward. More people are working and re-energizing their job search and employers say they have vacancies to fill,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said in a news release. “We must continue to match the unemployed with current opportunities and identify the barriers that prevent workers from being hired.”
Click on the link below for the full press release.
IDES November Unemployment Report
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Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform. Follow us on Facebook.