Unemployment Rate Falls in All Metros

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in March 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.

"We continue to see declining unemployment rates in all areas," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "In fact, the March unemployment rate was down in all but one of Illinois' 102 counties."

Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Rockford (+4.5 percent, +6,400), Kankakee (+3.7 percent, +1,700), and Lake (+2.4 percent, +9,700). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.2 percent or +9,100). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas with the largest losses in: Springfield (-3.0 percent, -3,400), Carbondale-Marion (-2.4 percent, -1,400), and Danville (-1.1 percent, -300).

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

Not seasonally adjusted data compares March 2018 with March 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.4 percent in March 2018 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 March 2018 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) - March 2018

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 4.4 percent in March 2018 from 5.0 percent in March 2017. The last time the March rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2000 when it was 4.1 percent. For the month of March 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 20,700.

Total nonfarm employment increased +9,700 compared to March 2017. Professional-Business Services (+4,100), Manufacturing (+4,100), and Construction (+1,900) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Leisure-Hospitality
(-1,300) and Retail Trade (-900) 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 4.2 percent in March 2018 from 4.7 percent in March 2017. The March 2018 unemployment rate of 4.2 percent is the lowest March unemployment rate on record. For the month of March 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 159,700.

Total nonfarm employment increased +9,100 compared to March 2017. Wholesale Trade (+7,800), Government (+6,800), Educational-Health Services (+5,800), and Financial Activities (+5,700) reported the largest payroll gains. The Professional-Business Services (-14,900), Retail Trade (-9,500), and Information (-4,300) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.8 percent in March 2018 from 5.4 percent in March 2017. The last time the March rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.3 percent. For the month of March 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 15,700.

Total nonfarm employment increased +4,300 compared to March 2017. Professional-Business Services (+3,000) and Government (+1,000) reported the largest payroll gains.   Educational-Health Services (-600) and Information (-200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.