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Jobs up in Eight Metro Areas

Press Release - Thursday, April 25, 2019

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area

March 2019

March

2018

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington

4.9%

4.2%

0.7

Carbondale-Marion

5.1%

4.9%

0.2

Champaign-Urbana

4.8%

4.2%

0.6

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights

3.6%

3.9%

-0.3

Danville

6.3%

6.3%

0.0

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

4.9%

4.5%

0.4

Decatur

6.3%

5.6%

0.7

Elgin

6.1%

5.2%

0.9

Kankakee

6.5%

5.8%

0.7

Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI

5.5%

4.9%

0.6

Peoria

5.9%

5.4%

0.5

Rockford

6.6%

5.5%

1.1

Springfield

5.1%

4.3%

0.8

St. Louis (IL-Section)

5.0%

4.5%

0.5

Illinois Statewide

4.5%

4.3%

0.2

     * Data subject to revision.

CHICAGO- The number of nonfarm jobs increased in eight Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in six, 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 unemployment rates increased over-the-year in March in twelve Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in one, and was unchanged in one.

 

"We continue to see solid job growth taking hold in most metro areas," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "As more people enter the labor market to work or seek employment, this administration is committed to giving Illinois workers the training they need for the jobs of today's economy."

 

Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+3.0%, +1,700), Kankakee (+1.8%, +800), Peoria (+1.6%, +2,800) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+0.8% or +29,500). The metro areas showing the largest over-the-year decrease in total nonfarm jobs were Bloomington (-1.7%, -1,600), Danville (-1.1%, -300) and Champaign-Urbana (-0.5%, -600).

 

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

 

Not seasonally adjusted data compares March 2019 with March 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.5 percent in March 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 3.9 percent in March 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.

 

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - March 2019

 

Metropolitan Area

March

2019*

March

2018**

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington MSA

91,700

93,300

-1,600

Carbondale-Marion MSA

59,100

57,400

1,700

Champaign-Urbana MSA

111,900

112,500

-600

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division

3,761,400

3,731,900

29,500

Danville MSA

27,500

27,800

-300

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

185,100

183,800

1,300

Decatur MSA

51,100

51,300

-200

Elgin Metro Division

260,400

258,100

2,300

Kankakee MSA

46,000

45,200

800

Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division

417,900

411,800

6,100

Peoria MSA

174,300

171,500

2,800

Rockford MSA

151,900

151,400

500

Springfield MSA

112,900

113,300

-400

Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA

239,700

240,400

-700

Illinois Statewide

6,087,000

6,046,800

40,200

                *Preliminary    **Revised

 

 

 


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

 

Labor Market Area

Mar. 2019

Mar. 2018

Over the Year Change

 
 

 Rockford MSA

 

 Boone County

7.2%

5.8%

1.4

 

 Winnebago County

6.5%

5.4%

1.1

 

 Cities

 

 Belvidere City

8.5%

7.0%

1.5

 

 Freeport City

6.0%

5.2%

0.8

 

 Rockford City

7.5%

6.2%

1.3

 

 Counties

 

 Bureau County

6.3%

5.2%

1.1

 

Carroll County

5.7%

4.7%

1.0

 

 DeKalb County

5.2%

4.5%

0.7

 

 Henry County

6.3%

5.2%

1.1

 

 Jo Daviess County

6.2%

5.4%

0.8

 

 Kane County

6.2%

5.3%

0.9

 

 Lee County

5.2%

4.5%

0.7

 

 McHenry County

3.5%

3.7%

-0.2

 

 Ogle County

6.6%

5.3%

1.3

 

 Stephenson County

5.6%

4.7%

0.9

 

 Whiteside County

5.3%

4.5%

0.8

 

 

Rockford MSA Highlights

Help Wanted

Area employers advertised for 5,600 positions in March and approximately 76 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 need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as construction, typically do not advertise job openings.

 

Rockford MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.6 percent in March 2019 from 5.5 percent in March 2018. For the month of March 2019, the estimated number of people unemployed in the labor force was 11,100.

Total nonfarm employment increased +500 compared to March 2018. The Manufacturing (+800), Educational-Health Services (+600), and Retail Trade (+400) sectors recorded the largest payroll gains compared to one year ago. Professional-Business Services (-800) and Leisure-Hospitality (-300) recorded the largest employment decline over-the-year.

Ogle County

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.6 percent in March 2019 from 5.3 percent in March 2018. For the month of March 2019, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 1,650.

Total nonfarm employment decreased -550 over the year. The Construction (+50), Leisure-Hospitality (+25), and Professional-Business Services (+25) sectors added jobs over the year. The Manufacturing (-375) and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities
(-150) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Stephenson County  

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.6 percent in March 2019 from 4.7 percent in March 2018. For the month of March 2019, the number of people unemployed in the labor force was 1,200.

Total nonfarm employment decreased -125 over the year. Government (+75), Financial Activities (+50), and Construction (+50) added the most jobs from March 2018.  The Manufacturing (-150) and Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-50), and Leisure-Hospitality (-50) sectors recorded the largest declines 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.

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