Illinois Still Impacted by COVID-19 Pandemic, Unemployment Rates Up Compared to Last Year

SPRINGFIELD -The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in August, with five metro areas at record low payrolls for that month, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas and to record highs for the month of August in two metros. 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 the state's COVID-19 mitigation plan in place, we are working hard to keep people safe while restoring confidence in and strengthening our economy," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "IDES is continuing to work tirelessly to support working families by connecting them to job training and workforce matching programs and ensuring benefits get to those impacted by this pandemic."
 
The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-11.0%, -19,000), Elgin (-9.7%, -25,300) and Decatur (-8.4%, -4,300). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down -7.6% (-291,600). No industry sector saw job gains in a majority of metro areas.

Not seasonally adjusted data compares August 2020 with August 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 10.9 percent in August 2020 and the highest August unemployment rate since 1983, when it was 11.3 percent. The official, BLS approved, statewide unemployment rate series begins in 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 8.5 percent in August 2020 and the highest August unemployment rate since 2011, when it was 9.1. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2020

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

* Unemployment rates for cities with total population of 25,000 or more can be found at https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/lmi/Pages/Local_Area_Unemployment_Statistics.aspx

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 12.6 percent in August 2020 from 3.8 percent in August 2019.  The August 2020 unemployment rate is the highest August unemployment rate on record.

Total nonfarm employment decreased -291,600 compared to August 2019.  The Leisure-Hospitality (-104,600), Professional-Business Services (-49,500), Government (-29,200), and Educational-Health Services (-23,700) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.5 percent in August 2020 from 4.1 percent in August 2019. The last time the August rate was equal to or higher was in 2011 when it was 10.1 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment decreased -25,300 compared to August 2019.  The  Leisure-Hospitality (-7,400),  Government  (-4,100), Other Services (-3,100), Wholesale Trade (-2,300), and Educational-Health Services (-2,100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.3 percent in August 2020 from 3.9 percent in August 2019. The last time the August rate was equal to or higher was in 2011 when it was 9.0 percent.
 
Total nonfarm employment decreased -35,300 compared to August 2019. Leisure-Hospitality (-14,600), Professional-Business Services (-7,000),  Government  (-3,600), Retail Trade (-3,200), and Manufacturing (-2,100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+600) had payroll gains over the year.

Kankakee, IL MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 8.9 percent in August 2020 from 4.6 percent in August 2019.  The last time the August rate was equal to or higher was in 2013 when it was 10.2 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment decreased -1,900 compared to August 2019. The  Educational-Health Services  (-500),    Government    (-400), Professional-Business Services (-300), Leisure-Hospitality (-300), and Other Services (-200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.  Retail Trade (+300) had payroll gains over the year.

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.