Despite a slight employment increase in May, Illinois' job growth remains well below the national average, the Department of Employment Security (IDES) said recently.
The unemployment rate dropped 0.1 percent in May, to 4.6 percent, with an increase of 2,400 jobs on non-farm payrolls, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The jobless rate in Illinois is 0.3 percent above the national rate and marks the state's lowest rate since February 2007.
IDES Director Jeff Mays said the state is 23,300 jobs behind the numbers in September 2000, which was the previous high point for employment in Illinois.
“If Illinois had grown at the national average over that time, the state would have an additional 650,000 jobs,” Mays said in the release.
Construction, education and health services, and information services had the largest increases in jobs in May. Construction was up 4,000 jobs, education and health services increased by 3,700 jobs, and information services added 900 jobs.
The largest decrease in jobs was in trade, transportation and utilities, which dropped 3,700 jobs. Government jobs were down by 2,500, while professional and business services decreased by 700 jobs.
The state's unemployment rate was 5.9 percent in May 2016.
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