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News and Announcements

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Unemployment Rate Falls in Thirteen Metros – Unchanged in One - Jobs up in ten metros

9/27/18 - Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in August in thirteen of Illinois’s metropolitan areas and was unchanged in one, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in ten of the metropolitan areas.

“The unemployment rate continued its downward trend in all metro areas except one where it was unchanged,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “These are some of the lowest unemployment rates we have seen in years. In fact, for the sixth consecutive month, the Chicago metro area had its lowest unemployment rate on record.”

Illinois Unemployment Rate Matches Lowest on Record - August Payrolls Drop first time since January

​​9/20/18 - The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent in August and nonfarm payrolls decreased by -5,200 jobs over-the-month, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES. The July job gain was revised down slightly from its initial report to show no growth. (+0 jobs versus +3,700 jobs).

Job growth moderated in the June to August period posting average monthly gains of +4,000 jobs over this three-month period, less than the prior 3-month average monthly gain of +8,300 jobs between May and July 2018.

“Illinois’ unemployment rate stood at 4.1% in August, matching the lowest rate on record,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Even with the over-the-month drop, nonfarm payrolls have surpassed the prior business cycle peak of September 2000. Jobs are still up more than 47,000 over the year, led by manufacturing.”

Illinois Employment Security Advisory Board Meeting Agenda

9/17/18 - This agenda for the Video/Teleconference Meeting, on September 20, 2018, at 10:00 A.M., conforms to the requirements of Section 2.02 of the Illinois Open Meetings Act (5 ILCS 120/02). Any individual planning to attend who will need an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act should notify the ADA coordinator at (312) 793-9290 or (888) 340-1007 (TTY/Texnet).​

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IDES Accomplishments

8/29/18 - Eight million touches. That’s how many times the Illinois Department of E​mployment Security (IDES) interacts with Illinois’ residents and employers each year. These touches happen in many ways. Hundreds of thousands of touches come from Illinois workers who have been laid off from a job when they seek Unemployment In​surance financial assistance. Hundreds of thousands of touches come from employers when they file taxes or request tax refunds. Tens of thousands of touches come from unemployed workers and veterans seeking employment guidance or to reconnect with the workforce. The review that follows seeks to capture the scope and breadth of change that IDES employees have endeavored to make since January 2015 to improve every touch. This review is not in any sense a “Mission Accomplished” victory lap, because we know we still don’t get all the touches right. Rather, it is simply the most current chapter in IDES’ journal of service to Illinois.

But the beginning of this chapter must start with a thank you to Governor Rauner and his staff for their unwavering support; to the Legislature and their staff for their guidance and engagement; to the statewide business and labor leaders who, at every quarterly meeting encouraged us to stay the course; and most importantly, to my senior leadership and to the 1100+ employees of IDES from Mt. Vernon to Chicago, Quincy to Danville…they didn’t just embrace and implement the change…they helped envision it.​

Certainly, there remain challenges before us. All that we stretched to accomplish is not done. These challenges will form the core of the next chapter. For our part, I believe IDES is very well positioned to move forward.

Sincerely,
Jeff Mays, Director​

IDES Highlights and Accomplishments
January 2015 - June 2018​ 
 
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