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

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IL-IA MSA

Help Wanted

Area employers advertised for 5,200 positions in July and approximately 80 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board. It is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers actually need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as construction, typically do not advertise job openings.

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.7 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 2001 when it was 3.6 percent. For the month of July 2018, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 7,300.

Total nonfarm employment increased +600 compared to July 2017. The Professional-Business Services (+900), Manufacturing (+700), and Leisure-Hospitality (+400) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. Retail Trade (-700), Educational-Health Services (-700), and Government (-300) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

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.