Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker | illinois.gov
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker | illinois.gov
The latest labor report for October shows Illinois still has the nation’s 3rd-worst unemployment rate in the country. A 4.6 percent jobless rate means 297,000 Illinoisans are unemployed.
Nevada, at 5.4 percent, had the nation’s highest unemployment rate, followed by California at 4.8 percent according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
October marks the 3rd month in a row where Illinois’ unemployment rate grew, up from a low of 4 percent in June-July 2023.
All of Illinois’ neighboring states have unemployment rates lower than Illinois’, some significantly lower. Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin all had jobless rates of less than 3.5 percent.
If Illinois had the same unemployment rate as Missouri, 95,000 more Illinoisans would be working today.
Illinois’ unemployment rate has been ranked among the nation’s top 10 for years and the last two years have been no different. More recently, Illinois’ rank has been creeping up back towards the very top after falling to 6th-worst in March of this year.
Illinois is already a tough place to live with its high taxes, stagnant home values and huge debts. An uncompetitive jobs market gives Illinoisans yet another reason to leave.
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