November Unemployment Falls to 9.6 Percent

CHICAGO - The Illinois unemployment rate fell again in November even as more people entered the labor force to look for work.

The seasonally adjusted rate fell for the eighth consecutive month, dropping -0.2 to 9.6 percent, according to preliminary data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The November national unemployment rate increased +0.2 to 9.8 percent. This is the first month since January 2007 that the Illinois unemployment rate has fallen below the U.S. rate.

"Falling unemployment rates even as more people look for work is another encouraging sign that the Illinois economy is moving forward," IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell said.

Preliminary industry data indicates a slight contraction of -2,600 total non-farm jobs in November. Slight up-and-down movement in preliminary data is not uncommon. The preliminary jobs data for October was revised upward from +8,000 to +11,600. In November, Illinois had +32,900 more jobs than November 2009, the third consecutive monthly year-over-year increase. So far this year, Illinois has added +54,700 jobs, a growth rate of 1.0 percent. The national growth rate is 0.7 percent. Job sectors leading Illinois' growth trend are Professional and Business Services (+17,600); Educational and Health Services (+15,700); Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+13,100); and Manufacturing (+9,600). The labor force in November was up +25,700 (+0.4 percent) over October to reach 6,666,800. The labor force has increased for three consecutive months.

The number of unemployed individuals was down for the eighth consecutive month, dropping -7,700 ( 1.2 percent) to 641,000, the lowest level since April 2009. Total unemployed has declined -123,800 ( 16.2 percent) since March 2010 when the state unemployment rate peaked at 11.5 percent. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts unemployment insurance benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development. It does so through nearly 60 offices, including Illinois workNet centers.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Illinois Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Jobs - by Major Industry

Notes:

• Illinois monthly labor force, unemployed and unemployment rates for years 1976-2009 have been revised as required by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In February of each year, monthly labor force data for all states are revised to reflect updated Census population controls, seasonal factors and state supplied non-farm jobs and unemployment insurance claims inputs. Comments and tables distributed for prior Illinois unemployment rate news releases should be discarded because any analysis, including records, previously cited might no longer be valid.
• Seasonally adjusted employment data for subsectors within industries are not available.  For not-seasonally adjusted jobs data with greater industry detail, go to http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/cesfiles/cescurrent.htm .
• "Other Services" includes a wide range of activities in three broad categories: Personal and laundry; repair and maintenance; and religious, grant making, civic and professional organizations.
• Monthly seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for Illinois and the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metropolitan Division are available at:  http://lmi.ides.state.il.us/laus/icmaur.htm .