Unemployment Rate Falls in All Metros - Jobs Increase in Ten Metros

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

"The number of employed people increased in all metro areas, which contributed to the decrease in the unemployment rate," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "This has driven the unemployment rate down to near record lows across the state. In fact, the Chicago metro area had its lowest July unemployment rate on record."

Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+5.9 percent, +2,700), Elgin (+2.0 percent, +5,100), and Champaign-Urbana (+1.5 percent, +1,600). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+1.2 percent or +46,500). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Carbondale-Marion (-0.7 percent, -400), Danville (-0.4 percent, -100), and Bloomington (-0.3 percent, -300).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Leisure and Hospitality (12 of 14), Manufacturing (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (10 of 14), Professional and Business Services (10 of 14), and Education and Health Services (8 of 14). 

Not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2018 with July 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.3 percent in July 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 July 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) - July 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 4.1 percent in July 2018 from 5.3 percent in July 2017. The July 2018 unemployment rate of 4.1 percent is the lowest July unemployment rate on record. For the month of July 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 154,300.

Total nonfarm employment increased +46,500 compared to July 2017. Educational-Health Services (+8,300), Construction (+7,700), Leisure-Hospitality (+7,400), and Manufacturing (+7,000)  reported  the  largest  payroll  gains.  The Retail Trade (-4,600) and Information (-3,400) 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 July 2018 from 4.6 percent in July 2017. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2006 when it was 3.9 percent.  For the month of July 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 14,700.

Total nonfarm employment increased +5,100 compared to July 2017. Professional-Business Services (+2,200), Construction (+1,400), and Leisure-Hospitality (+1,200) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. Manufacturing (-400), Educational-Health Services (-300), and Information (-200) 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 4.0 percent in July 2018 from 4.2 percent in July 2017. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2000 when it was 3.6 percent.  For the month of July 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 19,000.

Total nonfarm employment increased +3,400 compared to July 2017. Manufacturing (+2,900) and Construction (+1,300) sectors reported the largest payroll gains.    The Retail Trade (-1,600), Educational-Health Services (-800), and Professional-Business Services (-300) 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.