New IL unemployment numbers show mixed results: Unemployment rate down, job growth still slow

March 12, 2015

CHICAGO (March 12, 2015) – Today the Illinois Department of Employment Security released jobs numbers for the state. The data show mixed results: While Illinois’ unemployment rate dropped slightly to 6.1 percent in January from 6.2 percent in December, the state lost more than 7,000 jobs during that same period. Some economic sectors such as education and hospitality added jobs in January, however, the business-services, construction and manufacturing sectors saw job losses.

The nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute has been tracking the state’s economic health. Director of Jobs and Growth Michael Lucci issued the following statement on today’s jobs numbers:

“Today’s unemployment numbers show Illinois is still struggling to foster an economy that can steadily grow across many different industries. The significant losses in industries such as manufacturing and construction show the desperate need for policy changes such as local Right-to-Work laws and workers’ compensation reform. As we have seen in neighboring Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana, these reforms will attract businesses to Illinois’ still-struggling areas.

“Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner and state lawmakers should embrace reforms that reduce licensing fees and wait times to start businesses, and streamline Illinois’ crushing tax and regulatory burdens. It’s time to help Illinois become economically competitive again.”

Here are some highlights from the report issued today by the Illinois Department of Economic Security:

  • These sectors gained jobs from December 2014 to January 2015:
    • Leisure and hospitality: gained 3,300 jobs
    • Education and health: gained 2,300 jobs
    • Trade, transportation and utilities: gained 1,600 jobs
  • These sectors lost jobs from December 2014 to January 2015:
    • Professional and business services: lost 5,500 jobs
    • Construction: lost 2,500 jobs
    • Manufacturing: lost 2,100 jobs
  • The state’s January unemployment rate of 6.1 percent is higher than the national January unemployment rate of 5.7 percent.
  • Illinois has not fully recovered from the Great Recession. If Illinois had experienced a full economic recovery, it would have 94,600 more jobs than it has today.

For interviews: Nathaniel Hamilton 312-346-5700 x202