SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that nonfarm payrolls increased +14,800 (+0.2%) over-the-month to a record high of 6,172,300 in March. The previous record was set in December 2024, with 6,161,000 jobs. Additionally, the February monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report of -6,500 to +900.
The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.8 percent in March, while the revised unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, unchanged from the preliminary February unemployment rate. The March payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.
The industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job increases included: Government (+4,500), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (+2,600), and Private Education and Health Services (+2,200). The industry sectors with monthly payroll job decreases included Information (-400) and Financial Activities (-300).
Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs increased by +34,200 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Government (+20,900), Private Education and Health Services (+19,800), and Leisure and Hospitality (+5,800). The industry groups with jobs decreases included: Professional and Business Services (-12,900), Manufacturing (-5,500), and Construction (-900). In March, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.6 percent over-the-year in Illinois and up +1.2 percent in the nation.
“Today’s data is a marked bright spot for the Illinois labor market, its workers, and employers,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “The new high in job growth underscores the resolve of our state labor force and shows that working and doing business in Illinois pays off.”
“The record-breaking job growth throughout Illinois is a true testament to the State’s commitment to supporting its world-class workforce,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Our work continues as we strive to ensure Illinois remains the best place to live, work and do business.”
The number of unemployed workers was 321,500, up +0.1% from the prior month, and down -2.5 percent over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.1% over-the-month and up +0.6 percent over-the-year. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts or is ineligible for benefits is still reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
IDES helps connect jobseekers to employers who are hiring in a number of ways, including hosting and co-hosting job fairs and hiring events with statewide workforce partners, and through maintaining Illinois JobLink (IJL), the state’s largest job search engine. IJL is a tool used by jobseekers to look for work, and by employers who can post open and available positions for hire and browse resumes. Recently, IJL showed 62,346 posted resumes with 77,972 jobs available. Additionally, in partnership with IDOL and DCEO, IDES published resources to assist federal employees and contractors impacted by recent terminations or deferred resignations.