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Jobs Up in All Metro Areas for First Time Since May 2000

Press Release - Thursday, August 22, 2019

CHICAGO- The number of nonfarm jobs increased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in July, 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 shows the unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in July in eleven Illinois metropolitan areas, increased in one and was unchanged in two.

 

"We are thrilled to announce that jobs grew in every metro area for the first time since May 2000 and this administration will continue to build on our momentum with policies that invest in our future," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "That's why Governor Pritzker worked hard to pass a balanced budget that makes historic investments in education and a bipartisan capital bill that will help grow our economy for years to come."

 

Illinois businesses added jobs in all fourteen metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.3%, +1,300), Lake - Kenosha (+2.3%, +9,900), Danville (+2.2%, +600), and Rockford (+2.0%, +3,000). The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights metro division was up (+1.3% or +47,700).

 

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Leisure and Hospitality (13 of 14), Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Government (9 of 14), Manufacturing (8 of 14), Professional and Business Services (8 of 14) and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).

 

Not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2019 with July 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.2 percent in July 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 4.0 percent in July 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


Metropolitan Area

July 2019

July

2018

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington

4.1%

4.6%

-0.5

Carbondale-Marion

4.2%

5.2%

-1.0

Champaign-Urbana

4.2%

4.9%

-0.7

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights

4.1%

4.1%

0.0

Danville

5.4%

6.6%

-1.2

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

3.9%

3.9%

0.0

Decatur

5.4%

6.0%

-0.6

Elgin

4.2%

4.8%

-0.6

Kankakee

4.6%

5.3%

-0.7

Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI

3.8%

4.2%

-0.4

Peoria

4.5%

5.1%

-0.6

Rockford

6.5%

5.4%

1.1

Springfield

3.9%

4.3%

-0.4

St. Louis (IL-Section)

4.2%

5.0%

-0.8

Illinois Statewide

4.2%

4.5%

-0.3

     * Data subject to revision.













Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - July 2019

Metropolitan Area

July

2019*

July

2018**

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington MSA

89,900

89,700

200

Carbondale-Marion MSA

58,100

56,800

1,300

Champaign-Urbana MSA

108,200

106,500

1,700

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division

3,859,400

3,811,700

47,700

Danville MSA

27,500

26,900

600

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

187,800

186,800

1,000

Decatur MSA

52,300

51,600

700

Elgin Metro Division

270,000

265,200

4,800

Kankakee MSA

46,000

45,900

100

Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division

439,000

429,100

9,900

Peoria MSA

176,700

176,200

500

Rockford MSA

155,900

152,900

3,000

Springfield MSA

115,900

114,400

1,500

Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA

240,300

237,400

2,900

Illinois Statewide

6,210,200

6,132,100

78,100

                *Preliminary    **Revised

 

 

 


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

Labor Market Area

July 2019

July 2018

Over-the-Year Change

Decatur MSA

   Macon County

5.4%

6.0%

-0.6

Springfield MSA

 

 

 

   Menard County

3.2%

3.6%

-0.4

   Sangamon County

3.9%

4.4%

-0.5

Cities

 

 

   

   Decatur City

6.4%

6.9%

-0.5

   Quincy City

3.7%

4.1%

-0.4

   Springfield City

4.4%

4.8%

-0.4

Counties

 

 

 

   Adams County

3.5%

3.8%

-0.3

   Brown County

2.7%

2.7%

 0.0

   Calhoun County

4.8%

5.0%

-0.2

   Cass County

4.1%

4.3%

-0.2

   Christian County

4.9%

5.3%

-0.4

   DeWitt County

4.3%

4.9%

-0.6

   Greene County

4.4%

4.9%

-0.5

   Jersey County

4.4%

4.8%

-0.4

   Logan County

4.7%

4.9%

-0.2

   McDonough County

8.1%

6.8%

 1.3

   Macoupin County

4.1%

5.0%

-0.9

   Montgomery County

4.9%

5.8%

-0.9

   Morgan County

4.1%

4.5%

-0.4

   Moultrie County

3.6%

3.9%

-0.3

   Piatt County

3.7%

4.6%

-0.9

   Pike County

3.9%

4.7%

-0.8

   Schuyler County

4.2%

4.0%

 0.2

   Scott County

4.1%

4.4%

-0.3

   Shelby County

3.8%

4.3%

-0.5

Other Areas

 

 

 

   LWA 19

5.3%

5.9%

-0.6

   LWA 20

4.1%

4.5%

-0.4

   LWA 21

4.3%

4.9%

-0.6

   Central EDR

4.4%

4.9%

-0.5


Central Illinois Highlights

Decatur MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.4 percent in July 2019 from 6.0 percent in July 2018. There were an estimated 2,800 unemployed people in the labor force in July 2019.

The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Decatur metro area increased by (+700) compared to one year ago. Payrolls increased in Manufacturing (+500), Educational & Health Services (+400), Construction (+200), Leisure & Hospitality (+100), and Other Services (+100). Declines were reported in Professional & Business Services (-300), while Retail Trade, Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities, and Financial Activities 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 3.9 percent in July 2019 from 4.3 percent in July 2018. There were an estimated 4,400 unemployed people in the labor force in July 2019.

The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Springfield metro area increased by (+1,500) compared to a year ago. Payroll increases were reported in Leisure & Hospitality (+1,100), Information (+600), Educational & Health Services (+300), Other Services (+100), and Government (+100).  Declines were reported in Retail Trade (-500), Professional & Business Services (-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.




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