Workers penalized just for living in Illinois

Illinois workers are at a disadvantage compared to people in other states with the same job. Illinois’ 4.8% unemployment rate is third-highest in the nation.

Illinois workers face an uphill battle compared to the rest of the U.S. when it comes to the job market. The current unemployment rate in Illinois of 4.8% is near the third-highest in the nation compared to the national average of 3.9%.

Working in Illinois should not put people at a disadvantage in their careers. Both men and women experience gaps between Illinois’ unemployment rate compared to nationwide numbers. Illinois’ unemployment rate for men and women was 4.6% and 4.1% in 2023, respectively. The national average unemployment in 2023 was 3.8% for men and 3.5% for women.

This is the case across workers in their prime working years as well, 25- 54-year-olds. While young Illinoisans aged 16-19, and older Illinoisans aged 65-plus tend to have greater success than other Americans of similar age, those who are in their prime working years face far higher unemployment rates simply because they live in Illinois.

Illinoisans should take pride in where they work, not feel like their home has them drawing the short straw when it comes to employment and building a career. It is up to legislators to formulate and enact policy that solves this continuing problem – starting with fostering a healthy climate for job creators rather than imposing another $1.1 billion in taxes that fall mainly on businesses – as state lawmakers just did.