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Unemployment Rates Rise in all Metro Areas as COVID-19 Impacts Entire State

Press Release - Friday, May 29, 2020

SPRINGFIELD -The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in April in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, with six metro areas at record low payrolls, 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 that the unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas to record highs for the month of April as the COVID-19 pandemic continued to impact local areas across the state. The official, BLS approved, sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.

"With every corner of our nation impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time for the federal government to provide state and local governments with additional relief," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "Our administration is focused on helping small businesses rebuild and ensuring working families recover as communities across the state begin safely reopening their economies next week."

Data shows the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-17.9%, -30,500), Decatur (-17.6%, -9,000) and Rockford (-15.6%, -23,600). Jobs were down -12.8% (-483,200) in Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights. Job losses occurred across all industries and there were no industry sectors that recorded job growth in a majority of metro areas.

Not seasonally adjusted data compares April 2020 with April 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 16.9 percent in April 2020, a record high for the month of April, dating back to 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 14.4 percent in April 2020, also a record high, dating back to 1948. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area

April 2020*

April 2019**

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington

12.8%

3.3%

9.5

Carbondale-Marion

17.1%

3.4%

13.7

Champaign-Urbana

10.9%

3.3%

7.6

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights

17.6%

3.5%

14.1

Danville

17.2%

4.3%

12.9

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

15.2%

3.6%

11.6

Decatur

16.2%

4.5%

11.7

Elgin

16.6%

3.9%

12.7

Kankakee

15.9%

4.4%

11.5

Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI

15.1%

3.7%

11.4

Peoria

17.8%

4.1%

13.7

Rockford

22.4%

4.5%

17.9

Springfield

14.2%

3.5%

10.7

St. Louis (IL-Section)

15.1%

3.5%

11.6

Illinois Statewide

16.9%

3.6%

13.3

* Preliminary  I  ** Revised

 

 

 
















Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - April 2020

Metropolitan Area

April

April

Over-the-Year

 

2020*

2019**

Change

Bloomington MSA

82,600

94,700

-12,100

Carbondale-Marion MSA

52,200

59,300

-7,100

Champaign-Urbana MSA

108,000

117,300

-9,300

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division

3,284,200

3,767,400

-483,200

Danville MSA

24,100

27,400

-3,300

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

165,400

186,600

-21,200

Decatur MSA

42,100

51,100

-9,000

Elgin Metro Division

223,900

262,100

-38,200

Kankakee MSA

41,800

45,700

-3,900

Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division

365,100

419,000

-53,900

Peoria MSA

140,200

170,700

-30,500

Rockford MSA

127,500

151,100

-23,600

Springfield MSA

97,500

110,000

-12,500

Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA

226,200

241,900

-15,700

Illinois Statewide

5,293,200

6,102,100

-808,900

*Preliminary | **Revised

 

 

 

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

Labor Market Area

Apr 2020

Apr 2019

Over the Year Change

 
 

Decatur MSA

 

 

 

 

Macon County

16.2 %

4.5 %

11.7

 

Springfield MSA

 

 

 

 

Menard County

12.4 %

3.3 %

9.1

 

Sangamon County

14.4 %

3.5 %

10.9

 

Cities

 

 

 

 

Decatur City

17.7 %

5.0 %

12.7

 

Rock Island City

17.0 %

4.1 %

12.9

 

Springfield City

14.9 %

3.7 %

11.2

 

Counties

 

 

 

 

Adams County

12.0 %

3.0 %

9.0

 

Brown County

8.4 %

2.1 %

6.3

 

Calhoun County

17.2 %

4.3 %

12.9

 

Christian County

14.1 %

4.1 %

10.0

 

De Witt County

11.4 %

3.8 %

7.6

 

Greene County

11.7 %

3.7 %

8.0

 

Hancock County

14.8 %

3.9 %

10.9

 

Jersey County

15.5 %

3.9 %

11.6

 

Logan County

11.6 %

3.6 %

8.0

 

McDonough County

11.6 %

3.6 %

8.0

 

Macoupin County

13.9 %

3.7 %

10.2

 

Montgomery County

16.2 %

4.4 %

11.8

 

Morgan County

11.1 %

3.4 %

7.7

 

Moultrie County

8.1 %

2.8 %

5.3

 

Piatt County

9.9 %

3.2 %

6.7

 

Pike County

11.3 %

3.8 %

7.5

 

Schuyler County

11.5 %

3.3 %

8.2

 

Scott County

10.7 %

3.8 %

6.9

 

Shelby County

11.5 %

3.3 %

8.2

 

Other Areas

 

 

 

 

LWIA 19

15.5 %

4.4 %

11.1

 

LWIA 20

13.8 %

3.6 %

10.2

 

LWIA 21

13.0 %

3.7 %

9.3

 

Central EDR

14.0 %

3.8 %

10.2

 

Central Illinois Highlights

Decatur MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 16.2 percent in April 2020 from 4.5 percent in April 2019. There were an estimated 6,728 unemployed people in the labor force in April 2020.

The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Decatur metro area decreased by -9,000 compared to one year ago.

No payroll gains were reported in April 2020 compared to April 2019.

Job losses were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (-4,000), Manufacturing (-1,400), Educational and Health Services (-1,100), Construction and Mining (-800), Other Services (-500), Professional and Business Services (-400),  Government (-300), Wholesale Trade (-100), Retail Trade (-100), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-100), Information (-100) and Financial Activities (-100) over-the-year.

Springfield MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 14.2 percent in April 2020 from 3.5 percent in April 2019.  This is the highest April unemployment rate on record for the Springfield MSA.   There were an estimated 13,819 unemployed people in the labor force in April 2020.

The total number of nonfarm jobs in the Springfield metro area decreased by -12,500 compared to a year ago.  The April 2020 employment level is the lowest on record for April.

Payrolls increased in Information (+200).

Over-the-year payroll declines were reported in Leisure and Hospitality (-5,500), Professional and Business Services (-1,900), Government (-1,300), Other Services (-1,100), Manufacturing
(-900), Mining and Construction (-800), Retail Trade (-600), Educational and Health Services (-300), Wholesale Trade (-200), and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-100).

No changes were reported in Financial Activities compared to April 2019.


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. The official monthly unemployment rate series for metro areas, counties and most cities begins in 1990. The official monthly nonfarm jobs series for metro areas begins in 1990 and for non-metropolitan counties it begins in 1999.

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