Unemployment Rate Drops in All Metro Areas

 Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in September in all of Illinois's metropolitan areas and in all 102 counties, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in six of the metropolitan areas and decreased in eight.

"Seeing the rates drop across the board in all 102 counties is certainly encouraging." said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "But the job growth in the Chicago Metro Area, while it has carried the state during this past year, still lags behind the growth in neighboring states."

Illinois businesses added jobs in six metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+2.3 percent, +1,000), Carbondale-Marion (+2.0 percent, +1,200), and Bloomington (+1.5 percent, +1,400). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.3 percent or +11,100). Illinois businesses lost jobs in eight metro areas, with the largest losses in: Danville (-1.1 percent, -300), Elgin (-0.7 percent, -1,900), Rockford (-0.5 percent, -700), and Champaign (-0.5 percent, -500).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Education and Health Services (8 of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares September 2017 with September 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.6 percent in September 2017 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in September 2017 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work, and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - September 2017

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

* Unemployment rates for cities with total population of 25,000 or more can be found atwww.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Pages/Current_Monthly_Unemployment_Rates.aspx

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.8 percent in September 2017 from 4.8 percent in September 2016. The last time the September rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2006 when it was 3.8 percent. For the month of September 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 17,200.

Total nonfarm employment increased +5,200 compared to September 2016. Professional-Business Services (+5,300), Manufacturing (+1,500), and Educational-Health Services (+1,300) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade (-2,000) and Leisure-Hospitality (-2,000) sectors recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.8 percent in September 2017 from 5.6 percent in September 2016. The last time the September rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.8 percent. For the month of September 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 179,300.

Total nonfarm employment increased +11,100 compared to September 2016. Financial Activities (+10,500), Educational-Health Services (+4,500), and Professional-Business Services (+2,600) reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade (-7,300), Government (-2,800), and Leisure-Hospitality (-2,200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent in September 2017 from 5.1 percent in September 2016. The last time the September rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.0 percent. For the month of September 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 12,900.

Total nonfarm employment decreased -1,900 compared to September 2016. Manufacturing
(-1,500) and Professional-Business Services (-1,100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Leisure-Hospitality (+600), Financial Activities (+300), and Government (+300) reported the largest payroll gains.