Pritzker: Illinois employment picture improving, despite state’s high jobless rate

(The Center Square) – Illinois’ unemployment rate is more than a full percentage point higher than the national rate, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker says things are getting better.

The August jobless rate for the state was 5.3%, tied with California for second highest in the U.S. after Nevada at 5.5%.

The national unemployment rate was 4.2%.

Pritzker cited new data that showed improvement in the labor market.

“If you look at the unemployment numbers that came out today, what it shows is that unemployment is going down in the majority of the metro areas across the state of Illinois. That’s great. Jobs are going up. Unemployment is coming down. That’s great for the state,” Pritzker said.

The governor cited data released Thursday from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security showing that total non-farm jobs increased in eight metropolitan areas, decreased in five and remained unchanged in one for the year ending August 2024.

The overall unemployment rate for those areas, however, was 0.4% higher than last year.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says the job outlook was once a lot better in his community.

“Once upon a time, the Austin neighborhood had a 100% employment rate, a 100% employment rate (in) the very community in which I’m raising my family,” Johnson said.

The mayor blamed the evils of disinvestment, which he said previously extended even to the labor movement.

Pritzker, Johnson, U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi and other elected officials joined union leaders Thursday at the ribbon-cutting for the HIRE360 Training and Business Development Center on Chicago’s South Side.

HIRE360 is a nonprofit organization that aims to reshape workforce diversity in Chicago’s construction and trades industries. The new South Side center offers access to hands-on training, union apprenticeships, mentorship, and business development resources.

Johnson reiterated his support for labor unions.

“Chicago is the premier city of the globe, and we are the most pro-worker city anywhere in this world,” Johnson said.

Pritzker noted the support of union officials in developing the HIRE360 project.

“For our workers, this means a path to good-paying union jobs that offer them a better life. Thank you to our labor unions,” Pritzker said.

Krishnamoorthi said he was proud to have secured federal funding to partially fund HIRE360’s new facility.

HIRE360 also received donations from philanthropic and corporate partners.