Illinois Unemployment. According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rate for Illinois fell 0.1 percentage points in December 2019 to 3.7%.The state unemployment rate was 0.2 percentage points higher than the national rate for the month. The unemployment rate in Illinois peaked in December 2009 at 11.3% and is now 7.6 percentage points lower. (includes current, previous and year ago monthly unemployment rates for State, U.S., Metropolitan Areas, Counties, Cities, Micropolitan Areas, Combined Areas, Local Workforce Areas and Economic Development Regions) 3/12/20 - The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced today that the unemployment rate fell -0.2 percentage point to 3.5 percent, a new record low, while nonfarm payrolls added +16,600 jobs in January, based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and released by IDES.