Most Metro Areas Continue Adding Jobs

Press Release - Friday, January 25, 2019

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates increased over-the-year in December in thirteen of Illinois's metropolitan areas, and decreased in one, 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 twelve of the metropolitan areas.

 

 

"The new administration is committed to growing the economy and creating good jobs in regions across the state," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "Governor Prizker has taken action in his first weeks in office to support working families and help prepare workers for employment in growing industries. Our top priority is getting the state's economy back on track and the governor looks forward to continuing to work with business leaders and workers to build a thriving state."

 

 

Illinois businesses added jobs in twelve metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Kankakee (+5.0 percent, +2,400), Lake-Kenosha (+2.3 percent, +9,700), Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (+1.2 percent, +2,200), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+1.1 percent, +41,500). The Springfield MSA saw a decrease over-the-year (-0.4 percent, -400).

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

Not seasonally adjusted data compares December 2018 with December 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.4 percent in December 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 3.7 percent in December 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

Metropolitan Area	Dec. 2018	Dec. 2017	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington	4.5%	3.6%	0.9
Carbondale-Marion	5.2%	4.3%	0.9
Champaign-Urbana	4.4%	3.7%	0.7
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights	3.6%	4.9%	-1.3
Danville	6.4%	5.7%	0.7
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	4.5%	4.1%	0.4
Decatur	6.2%	5.1%	1.1
Elgin	5.7%	4.4%	1.3
Kankakee	5.9%	5.0%	0.9
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	4.9%	4.0%	0.9
Peoria	5.7%	4.8%	0.9
Rockford	6.3%	4.9%	1.4
Springfield	5.0%	3.9%	1.1
St. Louis (IL-Section)	4.9%	4.1%	0.8
Illinois Statewide	4.4%	4.7%	-0.3
* Data subject to revision.

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - December 2018

Metropolitan Area	December 2018*	December 2017**	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA	94,100	94,100	0
Carbondale-Marion MSA	57,700	57,600	100
Champaign-Urbana MSA	113,400	112,500	900
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division	3,817,800	3,776,300	41,500
Danville MSA	28,400	28,300	100
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA	189,300	187,100	2,200
Decatur MSA	52,000	51,500	500
Elgin Metro Division	263,200	260,900	2,300
Kankakee MSA	50,400	48,000	2,400
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division	426,200	416,500	9,700
Peoria MSA	172,600	172,200	400
Rockford MSA	153,900	153,000	900
Springfield MSA	112,500	112,900	-400
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA	242,600	241,300	1,300
Illinois Statewide	6,189,400	6,117,400	72,000
*Preliminary    **Revised

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

Labor Market Area	Dec. 2018	Dec. 2017	Over-the-Year Change
Champaign-Urbana MSA	4.4%	3.7%	0.7%
Champaign County	4.4%	3.7%	0.7%
Ford County	5.3%	4.3%	1.0%
Piatt County	4.4%	3.7%	0.7%
Danville MSA	6.4%	5.7%	0.7%
Vermilion County	6.4%	5.7%	0.7%
Cities
Champaign City	4.1%	3.6%	0.5%
Urbana City	4.3%	3.5%	0.8%
Danville City	6.6%	6.8%	-0.2%
Counties
Clark County	5.8%	4.7%	1.1%
Coles County	4.8%	4.0%	0.8%
DeWitt County	5.8%	4.5%	1.3%
Douglas County	4.1%	3.5%	0.6%
Edgar County	5.2%	4.1%	1.1%
Iroquois County	5.3%	4.1%	1.2%
McLean County	4.4%	3.6%	0.8%
Macon County	6.2%	5.1%	1.1%
Moultrie County	4.2%	3.5%	0.7%
Sangamon County	5.0%	3.9%	1.1%
Shelby County	5.0%	4.2%	0.8%
Other Areas
LWA 17	4.5%	3.8%	0.7%
LWA 18	6.4%	5.7%	0.7%
East Central EDR	4.8%	4.1%	0.7%

East Central Illinois Highlights

 

Help Wanted

Area employers advertised for 5,300 positions in December and approximately 78 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.

Champaign-Urbana MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.4 percent in December 2018 from 3.7 percent in December 2017.

Non-farm employment increased by +900 in comparison with last December.

Employment gains over the year were posted in Government (+1,100), Education & Health Services (+500), Retail Trade (+200), Financial Activities (+200), Information (+200), and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+100). 

Declines were reported in Leisure & Hospitality (-900), Wholesale Trade (-400), and Manufacturing (-100).

Danville MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.4 percent in December 2018 from 5.7 percent in December 2017.

Non-farm employment increased by +100 in comparison with last December.

Job gains were reported in Education & Health Services (+200), Leisure & Hospitality (+100), Wholesale Trade (+100), and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+100).

A decline in the number of jobs were reported in Government (-200), Retail Trade (-100), and Information (-100).

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.
LWA— Local Workforce Area 17 is composed of Champaign, Ford, Iroquois and Piatt Counties. 
LWA— Local Workforce Area 18 is composed of Vermillion County.