Illinois Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.6% in September
Illinois' unemployment rate dropped for the third consecutive month, reaching 4.6% in September. The state's nonfarm payrolls saw a modest monthly decrease but an overall increase compared to the prior year.
Quincy Hannibal Keokuk, IL, October 16, 2026 —
Illinois’ unemployment rate fell for the third consecutive month in September, reaching 4.6%, according to the available summary of the state’s labor-market trend. The summary does not specify the rate in the two preceding months or identify the year covered.
Nonfarm payrolls, a separate measure of employment, decreased modestly from the previous month, while remaining higher than a year earlier. The figures therefore describe different movements across two measures: the unemployment rate declined, while payroll employment dipped month over month but increased year over year.
The information provided does not include the size of the payroll decrease or the year-over-year gain. It also does not state how many people were unemployed, how many jobs were added or lost, or which industries accounted for the payroll change. No explanation was provided for the movements.
The figures offer a limited snapshot of Illinois’ labor market in September. Without additional data, the extent of the changes and their distribution across industries or regions cannot be determined. The available summary also does not identify the source of the figures or provide comparisons with national measures.
What is clear from the information provided is that the unemployment rate had declined for three consecutive months by September, reaching 4.6%, while payrolls showed a mixed pattern across monthly and annual comparisons. Further detail, including the specific period and underlying job counts, was not included.
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