CHICAGO (April 16, 2015) – New state jobs numbers released this afternoon by the Illinois Department of Employment Security showed mostly bad news for Illinois during the month of March. According to IDES, Illinois lost 1,800 net payroll jobs last month, the unemployment rate for March stayed unchanged at 6 percent.

Michael Lucci, director of jobs and growth at the nonpartisan Illinois Policy Institute, issued the following statement on today’s report:

“Illinois’ job growth has been sporadic – up one month, down the next. This illustrates how badly Illinois needs to enact public policies that will promote consistent economic growth. Illinois lawmakers need to send a clear signal to businesses that they are putting the state’s fiscal house back in order, that they will not enact higher taxes, and that they are serious about creating an environment in which businesses can build, expand and thrive.

“It’s very troubling to see how many manufacturing jobs are leaving the state. In March, Illinois lost 600 manufacturing positions and over the last three years the state has lost 3,500 manufacturing jobs. Meanwhile, neighboring states Indiana and Michigan have seen a boom in manufacturing. Most recently, Granite City Steel in the metro east region announced the upcoming layoff of 2,080 Illinois steelworkers in May, and the bad news is more manufacturing layoffs and industrial exodus are around the corner without policy reform.

“Lawmakers need to enact public policies that make it easier for entrepreneurs to start a business, less expensive to run a business and easier for people to find a job. Illinois will not be able to achieve consistent, positive economic growth until this happens.”

Below are some highlights from today’s jobs report issued by the Illinois Department of Employment Security:

• In March, Illinois lost a net total of 1,800 jobs.

• The number of people working in the state fell by 10,000, shrinking the state’s workforce.

• The Illinois unemployment rate for March is 6 percent. This is unchanged from February.

Industries that lost jobs in March include:

• Mining lost 200 jobs.
• Manufacturing lost 600 jobs.
• Education and Health lost 400 jobs.
• Other Services lost 1,900 jobs.
• Financial Activities lost 2,400 jobs.
• Leisure and Hospitality lost 4,900 jobs.

Industries that gained jobs in March include:

• Professional and Business Services gained 100 jobs.
• Information gained 300 jobs.
• Government gained 400 jobs.
• Construction gained 3,600 jobs.
• Trade, Transportation and Utilities gained 4,200 jobs.

For interviews: Nathaniel Hamilton 312-346-5700 x202