Unemployment Rate Continues Falling in All Metro Areas

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in May 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 eleven of the metropolitan areas.

"For the third consecutive month, the unemployment rate is below the previous year levels in all metro areas," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "And, job growth was reported in 11 of the state's 14 metro areas with many downstate metros now showing improvement."

Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+3.9 percent, +1,800), the Quad Cities (+1.5 percent, +2,700), and Champaign-Urbana (+1.2 percent, +1,300). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.9 percent or +32,500). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Danville (-1.4 percent, -400), Carbondale-Marion (-1.2 percent, -700), and Springfield (-0.7 percent, -800).

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

Not seasonally adjusted data compares May 2018 with May 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 3.5 percent in May 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 3.6 percent in May 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.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - May 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 at www.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Pages/Current_Monthly_Unemployment_Rates.aspx

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.3 percent in May 2018 from 4.5 percent in May 2017. The May 2018 unemployment rate of 4.2 percent is the lowest May unemployment rate on record. For the month of May 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 121,400.

Total nonfarm employment increased +32,500 compared to May 2017. Educational-Health Services (+10,800), Government (+9,000), Wholesale Trade (+6,700), and Financial Activities (+6,000) reported the largest payroll gains. The Professional-Business Services (-5,000), Information (-4,200), and Retail Trade (-3,800) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.8 percent in May 2018 from 4.1 percent in May 2017. The last time the May rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2006 when it was 3.6 percent. For the month of May 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 12,400.

Total nonfarm employment increased +1,500 compared to May 2017. Construction (+900), Government (+800), and Financial Activities (+400) reported the largest payroll gains. Leisure-Hospitality (-600), Information (-200), and Educational-Health Services (-100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.4 percent in May 2018 from 3.8 percent in May 2017. The last time the May rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2000 when it was 3.2 percent. For the month of May 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 16,100.

Total nonfarm employment increased +4,800 compared to May 2017. Professional-Business Services (+2,500), Manufacturing (+2,000), and Construction (+1,300) sectors reported the largest payroll gains.  The Retail Trade (-900), Educational-Health Services (-500), and Leisure-Hospitality (-500) sectors recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.

Note: Monthly 2017 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2018, as required by the U.S. BLS.  Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.