Unemployment Rate Drops in All Metro Areas for Sixth Consecutive Month

 Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in November in all of Illinois's metropolitan areas, 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 ten of the metropolitan areas and decreased in four.

"It is encouraging that job growth was reported in ten of the fourteen metro areas," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "More than 30,000 of those jobs were created in the Chicago Metro area, so we need continued stronger growth statewide."

Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+2.6 percent, +1,200), Lake/Kenosha (+2.4 percent, +9,800), and the Quad Cities (+1.6 percent, +3,000). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.6 percent or +20,900). Illinois businesses lost jobs in four metro areas, with the largest losses in: Danville (-1.7 percent, -500), Champaign (-0.6 percent, -700), and Decatur (-0.6 percent, -300).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Professional and Business Services, (11 of 14), Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (10 of 14), Manufacturing (9 of 14), Education and Health Services (9 of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2017 with November 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.7 percent in November 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 3.9 percent in November 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) - November 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 3.9 percent in November 2017 from 4.6 percent in November 2016. The last time the November rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2006 when it was 3.8 percent. For the month of November 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 18,000.

Total nonfarm employment increased +9,800 compared to November 2016. The Retail Trade (-2,100) sector recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago. Professional-Business Services (+5,800), Leisure-Hospitality (+2,100), Manufacturing (+2,000), and Wholesale Trade (+1,100) sectors reported the largest payroll gains.

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.8 percent in November 2017 from 5.3 percent in November 2016. The last time the November rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.7 percent. For the month of November 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 181,600.

Total nonfarm employment increased +20,900 compared to November 2016. Financial Activities (+10,300), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+5,700), Educational-Health Services (+4,600), and Professional-Business Services (+4,600) reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade (-10,500) and Leisure-Hospitality (-3,600) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in November 2017 from 4.9 percent in November 2016. The last time the November rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.4 percent. For the month of November 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 14,000.

Total nonfarm employment increased +500 compared to November 2016. Manufacturing (-1,700) and Educational-Health Services (-1,100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Retail Trade (+900), Government (+800), Leisure-Hospitality (+800), and Professional-Business Services (+500) reported the largest payroll gains.