State loses 4,000 private sector jobs in April

From ILLINOIS POLICY

Illinois shed 4,000 (-0.1%) private sector jobs from mid-March through mid-April, new data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security shows.

Meanwhile, the public sector added 4,300 (0.6%) jobs during the month, netting the state 300 (+0.0%) jobs. That marks the worst month for jobs since December.

While private sector payrolls as a whole declined, some individual industries were still able to grow. Leisure and hospitality added 8,100 (+1.8%) payroll positions; Construction grew payrolls by 4,000 (+1.8%); Other services added 1,700 (+0.7%) jobs; and Financial activities grew by 600 (+0.1%) jobs.

Unfortunately, more private industries shed jobs than added jobs in April, and those losses were far more severe. Manufacturing lost 7,800 (-1.4%) jobs; Professional and business services shed 4,900 (-0.5%) jobs; Educational and health services payrolls shrank by 2,800 (-0.3%); Trade, transportation and utilities also lost 2,800 (-0.2%) positions; and mining payrolls declined by 100 (-1.6%) jobs.