SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The unemployment rate in Illinois was up at the end of 2024 compared to the end of 2023, while the state added about 56,000 jobs over the last year, according to the latest employment data.

The numbers came from preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Unemployment rate up year-over-year

What we know:

The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Illinois last month was 5.2%, which was down slightly from November, but was up from when it was 4.7% in December of 2023.

For context, the unemployment rate nationally was also up during the same timespan from 3.8% at the end of 2023 to 4.1% last month.

The unemployment rate measures the individuals who are out of work and looking for a job.

At the same time, the labor force in Illinois grew by about 1.2% from the end of 2023 to the end of last year.

Jobs up year-over-year

By the numbers:

Between the end of 2023 and the end of last year, Illinois gained more than 56,000 non-farm payroll jobs, according to the IDES.

The industry with the largest job growth was government with more than 32,100 new jobs, private education and health services with more than 26,600, and other services with more than 9,900.

Professional and business services saw the largest job losses with 16,200 fewer jobs, followed by manufacturing losing 6,900, and financial activities losing 4,100.