Press Release - Thursday, April 02, 2020
Press Releases
No Data
Unemployment Rate Down in February for All Fourteen Metros Amidst Ongoing Surge of Unemployment Claims as a Result of COVID-19
SPRINGFIELD -While the unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in February in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas and all 102 counties, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the department continues to receive an unprecedented number of unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19.
"This administration is fully committed to the health and safety of our workforce and ensuring our workers can provide for their families in this challenging time," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "As we navigate this period of economic uncertainty, we will continue to champion policies that will lift up every Illinoisan while making investments that will help to strengthen our economy."
Data also shows the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in nine Illinois metropolitan areas and increased in five. Illinois businesses added jobs in five metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in Kankakee (+2.2%, +1,000), Champaign-Urbana (+1.8%, +2,100) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+1.0%, +37,500). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Rockford (-3.5%, -5,200), Peoria (-1.8%, -3,000) and Lake-Kenosha (-1.2%, -5,100). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Education and Health Services (11 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2020 with February 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 3.5 percent in February 2020 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 February 2020 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 | February 2020* | February 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 2.8% | 4.5% | -1.7 |
Carbondale-Marion | 3.1% | 4.7% | -1.6 |
Champaign-Urbana | 2.7% | 4.4% | -1.7 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.4% | 4.2% | -0.8 |
Danville | 4.1% | 5.9% | -1.8 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.0% | 4.8% | -0.8 |
Decatur | 4.3% | 5.9% | -1.6 |
Elgin | 4.0% | 5.6% | -1.6 |
Kankakee | 4.5% | 6.3% | -1.8 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 3.9% | 5.2% | -1.3 |
Peoria | 4.2% | 5.8% | -1.6 |
Rockford | 4.8% | 6.1% | -1.3 |
Springfield | 3.2% | 4.9% | -1.7 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.2% | 4.8% | -1.6 |
Illinois Statewide | 3.5% | 4.7% | -1.2 |
* Preliminary | ** Revised |
|
|
|
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - February 2020
Metropolitan Area | February | February | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change |
Bloomington MSA | 91,400 | 92,400 | -1,000 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 57,700 | 58,100 | -400 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 117,400 | 115,300 | 2,100 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,754,000 | 3,716,500 | 37,500 |
Danville MSA | 26,900 | 27,100 | -200 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 182,700 | 183,300 | -600 |
Decatur MSA | 49,400 | 49,900 | -500 |
Elgin Metro Division | 257,200 | 257,100 | 100 |
Kankakee MSA | 45,600 | 44,600 | 1,000 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 406,800 | 411,900 | -5,100 |
Peoria MSA | 164,900 | 167,900 | -3,000 |
Rockford MSA | 144,800 | 150,000 | -5,200 |
Springfield MSA | 107,500 | 108,300 | -800 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 236,900 | 236,500 | 400 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,022,300 | 6,005,900 | 16,400 |
*Preliminary | **Revised |
|
|
|
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Feb 2020 | Feb 2019 | Over the Year Change | |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.2 % | 4.8 % | -1.6 | |
Bond County | 3.2 % | 4.9 % | -1.7 | |
Calhoun County | 3.8 % | 5.7 % | -1.9 | |
Clinton County | 2.7 % | 4.2 % | -1.5 | |
Jersey County | 3.7 % | 5.5 % | -1.8 | |
Macoupin County | 3.5 % | 5.5 % | -2.0 | |
Madison County | 3.0 % | 4.5 % | -1.5 | |
Monroe County | 2.5 % | 3.8 % | -1.3 | |
St. Clair County | 3.4 % | 5.1 % | -1.7 | |
Cities |
|
|
| |
Alton City | 3.8 % | 5.8 % | -2.0 | |
Belleville City | 3.4 % | 4.7 % | -1.3 | |
Collinsville City | 3.3 % | 5.2 % | -1.9 | |
East St. Louis City | 4.6 % | 7.8 % | -3.2 | |
Edwardsville City | 2.1 % | 3.6 % | -1.5 | |
Granite City | 3.3 % | 5.1 % | -1.8 | |
O'Fallon City | 3.0 % | 4.3 % | -1.3 | |
Counties |
|
|
| |
Greene County | 3.4 % | 5.2 % | -1.8 | |
Randolph County | 3.0 % | 4.3 % | -1.3 | |
Washington County | 2.0 % | 2.9 % | -0.9 | |
Other Areas |
|
|
| |
LWIA 21 | 3.8 % | 5.4 % | -1.6 | |
LWIA 22 | 3.1 % | 4.6 % | -1.5 | |
LWIA 24 | 3.1 % | 4.7 % | -1.6 | |
Southwestern EDR | 3.1 % | 4.7 % | -1.6 |
Metro East Highlights
The February 2020 unemployment rate for the Illinois Section of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area was 3.2 percent, a decrease of (-1.6%) from the February 2019 rate of 4.8 percent. This is the lowest February unemployment rate on record for the Illinois section of the St. Louis MSA. The data is not seasonally adjusted.
The labor force decreased by -5,245 to 340,359 in February 2020 from 345,604 in February 2019. The number of employed individuals increased by +523 to 329,588 in February 2020 from 329,065 in February 2019. In February 2020, there were 10,771 unemployed people in the labor force. This is a decrease of -5,768 compared to the February 2019 total unemployed, 16,539.
Over the year, nonfarm payrolls increased by (+525).
Employment increased in Professional and Business Services (+775), Construction (+575), Government (+475), and Natural Resources and Mining (+25).
Decreases in employment over the year included Educational and Health Services (-350), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-250), Financial Activities (-175), Other Services (-175), Leisure and Hospitality (-125).
Note: Monthly 2019 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2020, 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
No Data