Springfield, IL (CHAMBANA TODAY) – Illinois continues to show mixed economic signals, according to the latest data. Over the last year, the state added 21,200 new jobs, ranking 22nd in the nation for employment growth between May 2024 and May 2025.

While job creation remains steady, the state’s unemployment rate stands at 4.8%, placing Illinois at 42nd nationally, indicating that more people are still struggling to find work compared to most other states.

However, wage growth offers a bright spot. The average private sector wage in Illinois hit $35.04 in May 2025, ranking 16th highest in the U.S. More notably, wages grew 5.6% year-over-year, giving Illinois the 9th strongest wage growth rate in the country. This signals that employers are raising pay to attract and retain talent in a competitive labor market.

The Illinois Flash Index, a measure of overall economic activity in the state, registered 101.9 in June, indicating modest economic expansion (anything over 100 signals growth).

Economists say the combination of solid wage increases and a growing job market suggests resilience, but the higher-than-average unemployment rate means not all Illinoisans are benefiting equally from the recovery.