Job Growth Continues in Most Metro Areas

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates increased over-the-year in January 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 eleven of the metropolitan areas.

"It's encouraging to see that payrolls continue to increase in most metro areas across the state" said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "Industries like educational and health services, trade, transportation, and manufacturing are seeing strong growth and we look forward to continuing to build on that foundation."

Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Lake-Kenosha (+2.8%, +11,500), Peoria (+2.6%, +4,400) and Carbondale-Marion (+2.2%, +1,200). The metro areas showing an over-the-year decrease in total nonfarm jobs were Danville (-2.2%, -600), Bloomington (-1.8%, -1,600) and the Illinois section of the St. Louis MSA (-0.6%, -1,400).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (11 of 14), Professional and Business Services (10 of 14), Mining and Construction (9 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (9 of 14), Financial Activities (8 of 14) and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares January 2019 with January 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.3 percent in January 2019 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in January 2019 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) - January 2019

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

Central Illinois Highlights

Help Wanted

Area employers advertised for 10,000 positions in January and approximately 75 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 actually need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.

Bloomington MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.5 percent in January 2019 from 4.6 per cent in January 2018. There were an estimated 5,100 unemployed people in the labor force in January 2019.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-1,600) compared to one year ago. Job gains were reported in Professional & Business Services (+400) and Educational & Health Services (+100).   Declines were reported in Financial Activities (-700), Manufacturing (-500), Construction (-300), Retail Trade (-200), Government (-200), Other Services (-100), and Information (-100). All other major industry sectors were little changed compared to a year ago.

Peoria MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.7 percent in January 2019 from 5.9 percent in January 2018. There were an estimated 12,100 unemployed people in the labor force in January 2019.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by
(+4,400) compared to one year ago. Job gains were reported in Professional & Business Services (+2,000), Manufacturing (+900), Educational & Health Services (+800), Construction (+400), Wholesale Trade (+400), Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+400), Leisure & Hospitality (+300), Government (+100), and Other Services (+100). Declines were reported in Retail Trade (-900) and Financial Activities (-100).  All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.

Ottawa-Streator Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.1 percent in January 2019 from 6.7 percent in January 2018. There were an estimated 6,200 unemployed people in the labor force in January 2019. Over the year, nonfarm payrolls remained unchanged compared to a year ago. The largest gains occurred in Other Services (+75) and Educational & Health Services (+75), while Construction and Government both increased by (+50), and Financial Activities declined by (-50).   All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.

Galesburg Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.2 percent in January 2019 from 5.9 percent in January 2018. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-225). The largest gains occurred in Educational & Health Services (+100) and Manufacturing (+75), while Information and Leisure Activity each declined by (-100) from a year ago.

Pontiac Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.2 percent in January 2019 from 5.0 percent in January 2018. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-175). Job gains were reported in Manufacturing (+75) and Information declined by (-200) from a year ago.

Note: Monthly 2018 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2019, 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.