Illinois reports January unemployment at 9.0 pct

Private sector up 222,100 during recovery

[March 11, 2013]  CHICAGO -- More people resuming their job search and entering the workforce pushed the January 2013 unemployment rate to 9.0 percent, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The data is seasonally adjusted. One year ago, the rate was 9.1 percent. Employers added 7,100 jobs in January 2013.

"An economic recovery naturally includes monthly up-and-down movement in the unemployment rate as individuals suspend and renew their job search," said IDES Director Jay Rowell. "As cuts from sequestration are implemented during the next few months, we will have a better idea on how federal fiscal policy will impact Illinois."

Illinois added 222,100 private sector jobs since January 2010, when job growth returned following nearly two years of consecutive monthly declines. Leading growth sectors are professional and business services, up 87,600; education and health services, up 55,800; and trade, transportation and utilities, up 43,000. Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down 26,300.

In January 2013, the number of unemployed individuals increased 22,900, or 4.0 percent, to 594,800. Total unemployed has fallen 157,400, or 20.9 percent, since early 2010, when the state unemployment rate peaked at 11.3 percent for the months of January and February.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. Individuals who exhaust benefits, or are ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work. Historically, the national unemployment rate is lower than the state rate. The state rate has been lower than the national rate only six times since January 2000.

More than 100,000 help-wanted ads are on IllinoisJobLink.com, the IDES employment website that links job seekers with employers. The keyword-matching technology increases the likelihood of a successful new hire and compares favorably with private efforts that cost hundreds of dollars for a single advertisement. No-cost human resources recruitment services are available at the website and at 877-342-7533.

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Click here for IDES tables listed below:

• Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

• Illinois Seasonally Adjusted Non-farm Jobs – by Major Industry

[Text from Illinois Department of Employment Security file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]