What is the unemployment rate in right now?

Updated Apr. 22, 2026Refreshed monthly
Unemployment in Illinois was at 5% in February 2026. That's a 0.1 percentage point increase from the month before. The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are actively looking for work but not currently employed. It's a common way to measure the health of the job market and economy.
In February 2026,

5%

of the labor force was unemployed in Illinois
February 2026 had a

+0.1

percentage point change from the previous month
The Bureau of Labor Statistics calculates the unemployment rate through a monthly survey to identify the civilian labor force, meaning people who are employed or actively seeking work. It counts part-time workers as employed. It excludes people who aren’t actively looking for work, such as retirees or discouraged workers.

In February 2026, the unemployment rate in Illinois was higher than the US overall.

Seasonally adjusted unemployment rate, January 2007 to February 2026

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Unemployment rates differ within states due to various factors. Counties with many job opportunities and different industries often have lower unemployment rates. In rural areas or in places where industries are shrinking, the rate can be higher. Seasonal work in industries like tourism or farming can lead to unemployment rising or falling. Population changes and local policies also play a role in how many people are employed.

What counties in Illinois have the highest and lowest unemployment?

Understanding local unemployment rates is important for economic planning and policy-making in Illinois. The county with the highest unemployment rate in Illinois is County A, with an unemployment rate of X%. This rate may be attributed to economic factors such as industry decline or lack of job opportunities. On the other hand, the county with the lowest unemployment rate in Illinois is County B, with an unemployment rate of Y%. This rate could be due to thriving industries and robust economic conditions. Comparing these rates, it is evident that there are disparities in unemployment across Illinois. Factors such as population density, local policies, and economic conditions play a role in influencing these rates. Monitoring these trends is important for addressing unemployment issues and fostering economic growth. Data for this analysis was sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois state labor department.
In Illinois, Boone County, IL had the highest unemployment rate at 7.6%. Monroe County, IL had the lowest at 2.9%. Cook County, IL, the county with the largest labor force in the state, had an unemployment rate of 5.3%. The latest county-level data is from January 2026.

Unemployment rates in Illinois counties ranged from 2.9% to 7.6% in January 2026.

Unemployment rate, by county, not seasonally adjusted

Unemployment rate, by county in Illinois (January 2026)

Unemployment rate, by county in Illinois (January 2026)
1.

Boone County, IL

7.6%
2.

Kankakee County, IL

7.2%
3.

LaSalle County, IL

7.2%
4.

Pulaski County, IL

7.2%
5.

Stark County, IL

7.1%
6.

Fayette County, IL

6.9%
7.

Schuyler County, IL

6.8%
8.

Bureau County, IL

6.8%
9.

Alexander County, IL

6.7%
10.

Iroquois County, IL

6.7%

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.