Illinois’ new normal: chronic unemployment

by Ted Dabrowski and Paul Schumacher Despite Illinois’ improved May unemployment numbers, the state continues to lag the nation in job creation. Illinois has the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation – a position it has held since March. Illinois’ jobless rate dropped to 9.1 percent from 9.3 percent in May, according to the Bureau...

by Ted Dabrowski and Paul Schumacher

Despite Illinois’ improved May unemployment numbers, the state continues to lag the nation in job creation. Illinois has the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation – a position it has held since March.

Illinois’ jobless rate dropped to 9.1 percent from 9.3 percent in May, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Net payroll job growth was 5,600 for May, also an improvement.

But when compared to the rest of the nation, Illinois’ employment situation is bleak. Only two other states have an unemployment rate above 9 percent – Nevada and Mississippi.

Illinois is also one of only four states to see its unemployment rate worsen in the past 12 months.

Illinois’ unemployment rate now stands 1.5 percentage points higher than the 7.6 percent national average, and that trend has worsened over time.

The last time Illinois’ unemployment rate was on par with the national average was in late 2010. But since then, the state’s unemployment rate has remained higher.

Nearly 600,000 individuals remain unemployed in Illinois, and more than 1 million are unemployed or underemployed.
Illinois’ poor jobs results are the inevitable product of the poor policy choices the state has made.

To permanently reverse its dismal unemployment history, Illinois must embrace liberty-based policies that will increase economic freedom and empower the businesses of this state to hire more workers.

Use the interactive dashboard below to see how Illinois compares to the rest of the nation.