Jobs up in Most Metro Areas

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

CHICAGO- The number of nonfarm jobs increased in ten Illinois metropolitan areas, remained the same in one and decreased in three, 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 April in eleven Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in one, and was unchanged in two.

"Job growth remains strong in most areas of the state, which is encouraging more Illinoisans to enter the labor force," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "This administration is working to continue this growth by providing workers with the training they need and restoring fiscal responsibility in state government."

Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.6%, +1,500), Peoria (+2.0%, +3,400), Lake-Kenosha (+1.8%, +7,700), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+58,300 or +1.6%). The metro areas showing the largest over-the-year decrease in total nonfarm jobs were Bloomington (-1.1%, -1,000), Danville (-0.4%, -100) and the Illinois section of St. Louis (-0.3%, -800).

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

Not seasonally adjusted data compares April 2019 with April 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.0 percent in April 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 3.3 percent in April 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) - April 2019

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 was 3.6 percent in April 2019, unchanged from April 2018. For the month of April 2019, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 132,900.
Total nonfarm employment increased +58,300 compared to April 2018. Educational-Health Services (+17,000), Professional-Business Services (+15,500), and Leisure-Hospitality (+12,400) reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade (-5,100) and Information (-3,700) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.7 percent in April 2019 from 4.2 percent in April 2018. For the month of April 2019, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 15,400.
Total nonfarm employment increased +4,500 compared to April 2018. The Government (+1,800), Manufacturing (+900), and Professional-Business Services (+700) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Leisure-Hospitality (-600) sector recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.2 percent in April 2019 from 3.8 percent in April 2018. For the month of April 2019, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 19,700.
Total nonfarm employment increased +7,700 compared to April 2018. Professional-Business Services (+3,900), Leisure-Hospitality (+1,500), Construction (+1,200), and Retail Trade (+1,000) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (-900) and Financial Activities (-300) sectors recorded the largest employment decline compared to one 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.