How has Illinois unemployment fared since the recession? Almost back down to the 5.5% rate recorded at the end of 2007, the Illinois unemployment rate has continually declined since 2009, down to 5.7%. This rate is still 100 basis points above the national rate of 4.7%, and down 380 basis points since the 9.5% recorded rate at the end of 2010. The national unemployment rate has improved since the recession, falling 460 basis points from the December 2010 reading of 9.3%, and is now 30 basis points below the pre-recession rate of 5.0%.