Press Releases
Jobs up in Most Metro Areas
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | April 2019 | April 2018 | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 4.0% | 3.5% | 0.5 |
Carbondale-Marion | 4.2% | 4.2% | 0.0 |
Champaign-Urbana | 4.1% | 3.6% | 0.5 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.6% | 3.6% | 0.0 |
Danville | 5.3% | 5.4% | -0.1 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.9% | 3.8% | 0.1 |
Decatur | 5.5% | 4.9% | 0.6 |
Elgin | 4.7% | 4.2% | 0.5 |
Kankakee | 5.3% | 4.8% | 0.5 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.2% | 3.8% | 0.4 |
Peoria | 4.8% | 4.6% | 0.2 |
Rockford | 5.4% | 4.6% | 0.8 |
Springfield | 4.2% | 3.6% | 0.6 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.2% | 3.9% | 0.3 |
Illinois Statewide | 4.0% | 3.8% | 0.2 |
* Data subject to revision. |
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
Metropolitan Area | April 2019* | April 2018** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington MSA | 93,000 | 94,000 | -1,000 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 59,800 | 58,300 | 1,500 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 113,700 | 113,700 | 0 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,799,700 | 3,741,400 | 58,300 |
Danville MSA | 27,800 | 27,900 | -100 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 187,800 | 185,500 | 2,300 |
Decatur MSA | 51,800 | 51,600 | 200 |
Elgin Metro Division | 264,500 | 260,000 | 4,500 |
Kankakee MSA | 46,300 | 45,800 | 500 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 426,000 | 418,300 | 7,700 |
Peoria MSA | 176,700 | 173,300 | 3,400 |
Rockford MSA | 154,200 | 151,900 | 2,300 |
Springfield MSA | 115,200 | 114,100 | 1,100 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 241,000 | 241,800 | -800 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,159,100 | 6,078,500 | 80,600 |
*Preliminary **Revised |
|
|
|
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Apr 19 | Apr 18 | Over-the-Year Change | |
Davenport-Rock Island-Moline IL-IA MSA | |||
Henry County | 5.2 % | 4.3 % | 0.9 |
Mercer County | 5.4 % | 4.6 % | 0.8 |
Rock Island County | 5.2 % | 4.5 % | 0.7 |
Cities |
|
|
|
Galesburg city | 4.9 % | 4.7 % | 0.2 |
Moline city | 5.0 % | 4.4 % | 0.6 |
Rock Island city | 3.8 % | 3.3 % | 0.5 |
Counties |
|
|
|
Bureau County | 4.8 % | 4.1 % | 0.7 |
Fulton County | 5.9 % | 5.4 % | 0.5 |
Henderson County | 5.0 % | 3.9 % | 1.1 |
Knox County | 5.4 % | 4.5 % | 0.9 |
Stark County | 7.2 % | 5.9 % | 1.3 |
Warren County | 4.3 % | 3.4 % | 0.9 |
Whiteside County | 4.3 % | 3.8 % | 0.5 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IL-IA MSA
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 6,300 positions in April and approximately 75 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 increased to 3.9 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 7,600.
Total nonfarm employment increased +2,300 compared to April 2018. The Professional-Business Services (+1,100), Construction (+1,100), and Manufacturing (+600) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. Retail Trade (-400) and Government (-300) sectors recorded the largest 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 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.
Press Releases