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Unemployment Rate Down in Thirteen Metro Areas, Jobs Up in Nine

Press Release - Friday, December 27, 2019

SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in November in thirteen Illinois metropolitan areas and increased in one, 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 number of nonfarm jobs increased in nine Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in four, and was unchanged in one.

"As job growth continues to be strong throughout the state, Governor Pritzker will continue to build on the momentum of the past year to expand long-term economic success," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "Illinois' bipartisan balanced budget and the historic Rebuild Illinois infrastructure plan are making critical investments and creating an economy that works for everyone."

Illinois businesses added jobs in nine metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Champaign-Urbana (+3.4%, +3,800), Carbondale-Marion (+2.5%, +1,500) Decatur (+1.5%, +800), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+24,200 or +0.6%). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-1.7%, -3,100), Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL (-1.2%, -2,300) and Danville (-0.4%, -100).

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

Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2019 with November 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 3.4 percent in November 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 November 2019 and 10.6 percent in January 2010, at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area

Nov 2019*

Nov

2018**

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington

3.1%

4.1%

-1.0

Carbondale-Marion

3.4%

4.6%

-1.2

Champaign-Urbana

3.1%

4.3%

-1.2

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights

3.1%

3.3%

-0.2

Danville

4.6%

5.8%

-1.2

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

3.9%

3.7%

0.2

Decatur

4.5%

5.5%

-1.0

Elgin

3.6%

4.7%

-1.1

Kankakee

4.6%

5.2%

-0.6

Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI

3.4%

4.0%

-0.6

Peoria

4.0%

4.8%

-0.8

Rockford

5.1%

9.4%

-4.3

Springfield

3.2%

4.2%

-1.0

St. Louis (IL-Section)

3.4%

4.5%

-1.1

Illinois Statewide

3.4%

4.0%

-0.6

* Preliminary | **Revised













Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - November 2019

Metropolitan Area

Nov

2019*

Nov

2018**

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington MSA

93,500

93,500

0

Carbondale-Marion MSA

61,300

59,800

1,500

Champaign-Urbana MSA

116,400

112,600

3,800

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division

3,861,500

3,837,300

24,200

Danville MSA

27,700

27,800

-100

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

186,900

189,200

-2,300

Decatur MSA

53,100

52,300

800

Elgin Metro Division

270,100

269,100

1,000

Kankakee MSA

47,300

47,200

100

Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division

432,400

429,600

2,800

Peoria MSA

175,100

178,200

-3,100

Rockford MSA

154,600

155,000

-400

Springfield MSA

116,500

115,500

1,000

Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA

246,000

243,200

2,800

Illinois Statewide

6,243,400

6,205,900

37,500

*Preliminary | **Revised              

 

 

 


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

Labor Market Area

Nov.  2019

Nov.  2018

Over-the-Year Change

 Davenport-Rock Island-Moline IL-IA MSA

  Henry County

4.4 %

4.9 %

-0.5

  Mercer County

4.2 %

4.7 %

-0.5

  Rock Island County

4.5 %

4.9 %

-0.4

 Cities

 

 

 

 Galesburg

4.4 %

6.5 %

-2.1

 Moline

4.4 %

4.7 %

-0.3

 Rock Island

3.1 %

3.9 %

-0.8

 Counties

 

 

 

 Bureau County

4.0 %

5.1 %

-1.1

 Fulton County

4.7 %

5.9 %

-1.2

 Henderson County

2.9 %

5.2 %

-2.3

 Knox County

4.2 %

5.2 %

-1.0

 Stark County

5.1 %

5.7 %

-0.6

 Warren County

3.3 %

4.0 %

-0.7

 Whiteside County

3.9 %

4.4 %

-0.5


Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IL-IA MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 3.9 percent in November 2019 from 3.7 percent in November 2018.

Total nonfarm employment decreased -2,300 compared to November 2018. The Construction (+800), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+300), Wholesale Trade (+100), and Government (+100) sectors reported payroll gains. Professional-Business Services (-1,300), Leisure-Hospitality (-1,100), and Retail Trade (-500) 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.

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