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