Illinois’ private equity industry is doing a better job of raising funds than the buyout industry nationally.

According to figures released by Dow Jones LP Source, an industry database that tracks private equity fundraising,  279 U.S. funds raised $68.8 billion in the first nine months of 2010, a 10 percent drop in capital from the same period last year.

But in Illinois, 22 funds raised $4.4 billion, up from $2.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2009, Dow Jones LP Source said.

Fundraising by Chicago-based Adams Street Partners and Lake Forest-based RoundTable Healthcare Partners helped boost the Illinois totals, Dow Jones LP Source said. Adams Street closed with $1.3 billion for a new fund, while RoundTable closed a new fund with $600 million raised.