State of Illinois

07/16/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2026 12:01

Payroll Jobs Up for Fourth Consecutive Month, Unemployment Rate Stable in June

Payroll Jobs Up for Fourth Consecutive Month, Unemployment Rate Stable in June

Announcement - Thursday, July 16, 2026
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Contact: Rebecca Cisco | 217-524-1219

SPRINGFIELD - The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate remained at 5.1 percent in June, unchanged from May, and up +0.8 percentage point from the same month, one year ago, based on data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The revised May unemployment rate was 5.1 percent.

Total nonfarm payrolls saw a fourth consecutive over-the-month increase in June, up +1,500 (0.0%) to 6,164,400. The May monthly change in payrolls was revised from the preliminary report, from +6,000 to +4,100. The June payroll jobs estimate and unemployment rate reflect activity for the week including the 12th.

The industry sectors with the largest monthly payroll jobs increases included: Leisure and Hospitality (+3,000), Professional and Business Services (+2,300) and Private Education and Health Services (+1,600). The sectors with the largest over-the-month jobs decreases included: Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-4,100), Information (-1,800) and Financial Activities (-1,700).

Compared to a year ago, total nonfarm payroll jobs were up +9,200 jobs. The industry groups with the largest jobs increases included: Private Education and Health Services (+14,900), Construction (+10,700) and Leisure and Hospitality (+6,900). The industry groups with the largest jobs decreases included: Financial Activities (-13,100), Professional and Business Services (-9,500), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-7,300). In June, total nonfarm payrolls were up +0.1% over-the-year in Illinois and up +0.3% in the nation.

"Illinois' labor market continues to demonstrate steady performance, marking our fourth consecutive month of payroll job growth while maintaining a stable unemployment rate," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "The continued long-term expansion in critical sectors like healthcare and infrastructure shows that our state investments are targeting the right areas. Amid unprecedented economic headwinds, we remain fully focused on growing our economy, supporting our world-class workforce and bolstering industries that provide good-paying jobs and opportunities for Illinoisans."

"Momentum continues to grow in Illinois as payroll jobs have increased for the fourth month in a row," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "Through the State's commitment to investing in Illinois' employees and employers, DCEO is actively providing resources and opportunities for Illinoisans to succeed."

The number of unemployed persons in June was 329,700, down -2.0% from May, and up +16.1% over the same month one year ago. The labor force was down -0.3% from May and down -0.9% 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 59,469 posted resumes with 64,925 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.

Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

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26-Jun 26-May 25-Jun 3-month Average Over-the-Month Change Over-the-Year Change
Illinois 5.10% 5.10% 4.30% 5.10% 0 0.8
U.S. 4.20% 4.30% 4.10% 4.30% -0.1 0.1
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Illinois Seasonally Adjusted Nonfarm Jobs - by Major Industry

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 Jun-26 Current * May-26 Revised ** Jun-25 Year Ago Over-the-Month Change Over-the-Year Change 3-month Avg Change from Previous 3-month Moving Avg
IL - Total Nonfarm 6,164,400 6,162,900 6,155,200 1,500 9,200 6,162,000 5,600
IL - Mining 7,200 7,100 6,900 100 300 7,100 0
IL - Construction 250,500 249,100 239,800 1,400 10,700 249,200 1300
IL - Manufacturing 571,000 571,300 569,000 -300 2,000 570,200 1300
IL - Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 1,213,100 1,217,200 1,220,400 -4,100 -7,300 1,214,900 1,500
IL - Information 87,600 89,400 90,000 -1,800 -2,400 88,500 -100
IL - Financial Activities 380,100 381,800 393,200 -1,700 -13,100 382,400 -2,400
IL - Professional and Business Services 899,900 897,600 909,400 2,300 -9,500 897,900 400
IL - Private Education and Health Services 1,037,900 1,036,300 1,023,000 1,600 14,900 1,038,900 -600
IL - Leisure and Hospitality 610,900 607,900 604,000 3,000 6,900 608,000 2,900
IL - Other Services 249,500 249,400 247,000 100 2,500 249,300 300
IL - Government 856,700 855,800 852,500 900 4,200 855,600 800
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*Preliminary | **Final

About the Department of Employment Security

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides vital employment services to Illinois workers, jobseekers, and employers with resources including Job Fairs, IllinoisJobLink.com, and WorkShare IL, analyzes and disseminates actionable Labor Market Information, and administers the Unemployment Insurance Program. To see the full range of services provided by IDES, and for the latest news concerning the department, visit IDES.Illinois.gov.

State of Illinois published this content on July 16, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 16, 2026 at 18:01 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]