Illinois reaches six consecutive months of record low unemployment claims

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced the state has recorded a new, unprecedented number of consecutive weeks below historic continued claims levels for regular unemployment insurance benefits. The most recent data reflects Illinois has remained below the 70,000 claims threshold for 26 consecutive weeks, with little more than 57,000 continued claims recorded last week. The decrease in continued claims is a reflection of pandemic-related economic recovery and an indication the labor market remains strong. In particular, most recent data shows Illinois has seen payroll job growth for 16 consecutive months.
“This latest data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows great promise: our unemployment insurance claims are down and Illinoisans are getting back to work,” said Governor JB Pritzker.