Illinois’ construction sector continued to expand in September, adding 14,300 jobs compared with the same month last year, even as overall state payroll employment declined.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported that construction employment reached 254,500 jobs in September 2026, up from 240,200 a year earlier. The sector also recorded a monthly gain of 1,300 jobs from August, making construction one of three industries with the largest employment increases during the month.
Leisure and hospitality led monthly gains with 5,700 additional jobs, followed by construction and financial activities, which added 400 jobs.
The figures indicate that construction employment maintained positive momentum over the year despite broader fluctuations in the Illinois labour market.
Illinois’ seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 4.6% in September, a decrease of 0.1 percentage point from August. The rate was 4.5% in September 2025.
Total nonfarm payroll employment declined by 7,200 jobs during September to 6,164,500. August’s payroll decrease was revised to 8,300 jobs from the preliminary estimate of 4,400.
Government employment recorded the largest monthly decline, losing 4,600 jobs. Private education and health services shed 3,700 jobs, while professional and business services declined by 2,400.
Across all industries, Illinois payrolls were 13,800 jobs higher than a year earlier. Construction contributed the largest annual increase among the industry groups listed in the report, followed by leisure and hospitality, which added 8,500 jobs, and private education and health services, which gained 5,400.
The number of unemployed people in Illinois stood at 297,700 in September, down 3% from August but up 1.8% from a year earlier.
For construction owners, contractors and developers, the annual increase in construction employment points to continued workforce activity across Illinois. The monthly gain also suggests the sector remained comparatively resilient while statewide payrolls contracted.
However, employment growth alone does not establish whether contractors are experiencing labour shortages, rising wages or increased project demand. Those conditions can vary by trade, region and project type.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security connects jobseekers and employers through services including Illinois JobLink, the state’s job-search platform. At the time of the announcement, the platform listed 75,535 available jobs and 60,977 posted resumes across the labour market.
The September figures offer construction businesses a useful indicator of sector employment trends as they assess recruitment needs and workforce planning. Future monthly reports will help show whether the sector’s annual gains continue amid changes in the wider economy.
Source: IDES.
