Skip to content

Illinois Added 13,300 Private Sector Jobs over the Past Year

Illinois Added 13,300 Private Sector Jobs over the Past Year

July 18, 2025

The public sector grew by 21,700 jobs

Illinois added 35,000 jobs year-over-year in June, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Private sector jobs increased by 13,300 jobs.

The sectors with the largest job gains were: Private Education and Health Services (+22,900 jobs), Government (21,700 jobs), and Leisure and Hospitality (+3,900 jobs).

Sectors experiencing job losses included: Professional and Business Services (-8,100 jobs), Manufacturing (-6,500 jobs), and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-3,800 jobs).

“Government and health care drove job gains over the past year,” said NFIB Illinois State Director Noah Finley, “but in the long-term, public-sector growth that outstrips the private sector could prove unsustainable.”

Unemployment declined to 4.6% in June as labor participation rates dropped. Year-over-year, Illinois’ labor force shrank by 0.3%, according to IDES.

Small-business owners continue to report challenges finding qualified workers. In June, 50% of small businesses reported receiving few or no qualified applicants for job openings in NFIB’s Small Business Economic Trends (SBET) survey. Sixteen percent listed labor quality as the single most important problem facing their small business.

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

Related
June 24, 2026
Illinois Department of Revenue Proposes Revised Sales & Use Tax Rules
Proposed rulemaking deals with “destination sourced” sales in Illinois
Read More
Split-screen live news: female anchor left, man in vest right; economy alert banner and stock ticker visible at bottom.
Related
June 23, 2026
West Virginia Small Business Owner Joins NewsNation to Discuss 20% Small Business Deduction
Watch NFIB Michael Ervin on NewsNation.
Read More
Split-screen live news: female anchor left, man in vest right; economy alert banner and stock ticker visible at bottom.
Related
June 22, 2026
VIDEO: On NewsNation, NFIB Member Discusses How 20% Small Business Deduction Has Provided Certainty For Small Businesses
WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 22, 2026) – West Virginia small business owner and NFIB member Michael Ervin joined Markie Martin on NewsNation Thursday to discuss the …
Read More
Related
June 17, 2026
38 New Mexico Legislators Earned 100% Voting Records on Small Business Issues
NFIB’s 2025-2026 Voting Record includes eight key votes on tax, regulatory, and judicial reforms
Read More

© 2001 - 2026 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility