The Illinois Central Management Services (CMS) announced on Tuesday morning that the State of Illinois has recently achieved what they note as “historic outcomes,” in building up its workforce, increasing the total employee count of the state from 50,544 in 2019 to 55,340 in 2025 – the highest number of state employees since 2008, which was 55,237 employees.
CMS gains, the agency notes, are driven by hiring at agencies that have historically faced challenges filling positions and that directly provide support to vulnerable Illinoisans. This includes a 44% increase in staffing at the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and a 15% increase in direct care worker roles at the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
Formerly a manual, paper-driven process plagued by outdated grading systems, the CMS stated that hiring has undergone a transformative modernization since 2019, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined process today.
Governor JB Pritzker added that:
“These milestones are a testament to the dedication and commitment of CMS, which has embraced efficiency, innovation and collaboration to improve past hiring challenges. By modernizing our hiring practices and investing in technology, we’re not just improving efficiency, we’re building a government that is more inclusive, responsive, and equipped to serve the people of Illinois for generations to come. As we look ahead, CMS will build upon this progress as it continues to improve and streamline hiring for key roles that support Illinoisans every day.”
For more information about job opportunities at the State of Illinois, CMS is encouraging folks to visit https://work.illinois.gov/.
