Illinois posted modest job growth in the first quarter of the year, with the government sector being one of the top performers despite recent workforce reductions by the federal government. According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, nonfarm employment in the state rose to 6,162,100, up 0.5% from 6,131,000 during the same three-month period last year. In March alone, total jobs reached 6,172,300, which was an increase of 14,800 from February and 34,200 higher than in March 2024.