South Central Reporter

State Senator Jason Plummer shared information on Illinois' October unemployment rate in a December 3 Facebook post, stating, "A great state and great people...being held back by bad public policy from incompetent activists masquerading as serious public servants."

"A great state and great people...being held back by bad public policy from incompetent activists masquerading as serious public servants," said Plummer, according to Facebook.

According to the post, Plummer referenced an Illinois Policy report dated November 20. The report indicated that Illinois’ unemployment rate was behind only California and Nevada, standing at 5.3%. The data was sourced from the latest release by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The state's unemployment rate exceeded the national average of 4.1% for October. Illinois added 40,500 jobs during October 2024, with significant growth in state government and private education and health services sectors.

Screenshot of State Senator Jason Plummer's Dec. 3 Facebook post | State Senator Jason Plummer's Facebook page

The Illinois Policy report described the state's job recovery rate since the pandemic as "notably slow," noting that there were 1,200 more jobs available in October than in January 2020.

In a November 15 news release, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) noted that nonfarm payrolls fell by 2,400 jobs, although the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.3% for September. Kristin Richards, Director of the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), said: "Illinois' steady payroll job numbers are a testament to the importance of investing in our state's growing economic ecosystem. DCEO is dedicated to continuing our efforts to ensure Illinois remains a place of opportunity and the best place to live, work and do business."

On November 21, IDES reported year-to-year changes in unemployment rates across various areas: decreases in six areas, increases in six areas, and no change in two areas. The Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added 2,000 non-farm jobs; Champaign-Urbana MSA added 2,100; Carbondale-Marion MSA added 800; while Danville MSA lost 500 jobs and Peoria MSA lost 1,900 nonfarm jobs.

Senator Plummer has served as State Senator for the 54th Senate District of the Illinois General Assembly since his election in 2018. He focuses on representing Southern Illinois as a strong conservative voice for those he believes have been neglected by politicians in Springfield.