Unemployment Rate Down in All Metro Areas

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

CHICAGO- Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in June in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, 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 the number of nonfarm jobs increased in eleven Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in three.

"Job growth is reaching all corners of Illinois and this administration is acting boldly to build upon that momentum," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "On the strength of a bipartisan budget and capital bill, Illinois is once again investing in its roads, bridges, and universities to create an economy that supports working families."

Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.9%, +1,600), Lake-Kenosha (+2.6%, +11,200), and Peoria (+2.3%, +4,000). The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights metro division was up (+63,500 or +1.7%). The metro areas showing over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were Danville (-1.1%, -300), the Illinois section of St. Louis MSA (-0.7%, -1,600), and Kankakee (-0.2%, -100).

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

Not seasonally adjusted data compares June 2019 with June 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.0 percent in June 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 3.8 percent in June 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) - June 2019

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

Central Illinois Highlights

Decatur MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.0 percent in June 2019 from 6.0 percent in June 2018. There were an estimated 2,500 unemployed people in the labor force in June 2019.

The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Decatur metro area increased by (+600) compared to one year ago. Payrolls increased in Manufacturing (+600), Other Services (+200), Educational & Health Services (+200), Leisure & Hospitality (+100), and Construction (+100). Declines were reported in Professional & Business Services (-200), while Retail Trade, Wholesale Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities, and Government each declined by (-100). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.

Springfield MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.6 percent in June 2019 from 4.5 percent in June 2018. There were an estimated 4,100 unemployed people in the labor force in June 2019.

The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Springfield metro area increased by (+1,600) compared to a year ago. Payroll increases were reported in Information (+900), Leisure & Hospitality (+800), Educational & Health Services (+300), Other Services (+300), and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (+100). Declines were reported in Retail Trade (-500), Professional & Business Services (-100), Construction (-100), and Manufacturing (-100). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.

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.