Press Release - Thursday, September 24, 2020
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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
Metropolitan Area | August 2020* | August 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 7.2% | 3.8% | 3.4 |
Carbondale-Marion | 8.5% | 4.2% | 4.3 |
Champaign-Urbana | 7.4% | 3.9% | 3.5 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 12.6% | 3.8% | 8.8 |
Danville | 9.3% | 5.5% | 3.8 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 8.1% | 4.1% | 4.0 |
Decatur | 11.2% | 5.4% | 5.8 |
Elgin | 9.5% | 4.1% | 5.4 |
Kankakee | 8.9% | 4.6% | 4.3 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 8.3% | 3.9% | 4.4 |
Peoria | 9.6% | 4.6% | 5.0 |
Rockford | 11.3% | 5.9% | 5.4 |
Springfield | 8.5% | 4.0% | 4.5 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 8.6% | 4.1% | 4.5 |
Illinois Statewide | 10.9% | 4.0% | 6.9 |
* Preliminary I ** Revised |
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Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2020
Metropolitan Area | August | August | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change |
Bloomington MSA | 85,200 | 91,400 | -6,200 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 54,200 | 56,900 | -2,700 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 103,300 | 107,900 | -4,600 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,537,600 | 3,829,200 | -291,600 |
Danville MSA | 25,900 | 27,100 | -1,200 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 174,500 | 189,300 | -14,800 |
Decatur MSA | 46,600 | 50,900 | -4,300 |
Elgin Metro Division | 236,000 | 261,300 | -25,300 |
Kankakee MSA | 44,100 | 46,000 | -1,900 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 390,600 | 425,900 | -35,300 |
Peoria MSA | 153,500 | 172,500 | -19,000 |
Rockford MSA | 138,900 | 150,800 | -11,900 |
Springfield MSA | 104,200 | 112,100 | -7,900 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 227,400 | 241,300 | -13,900 |
Illinois Statewide | 5,705,900 | 6,143,200 | -437,300 |
*Preliminary | **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Aug 2020 | Aug 2019 | Over the Year Change | |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 8.6 % | 4.1 % | 4.5 | |
Bond County | 7.3 % | 3.8 % | 3.5 | |
Calhoun County | 7.0 % | 4.2 % | 2.8 | |
Clinton County | 5.6 % | 2.9 % | 2.7 | |
Jersey County | 7.3 % | 4.3 % | 3.0 | |
Macoupin County | 6.9 % | 4.0 % | 2.9 | |
Madison County | 8.4 % | 4.0 % | 4.4 | |
Monroe County | 5.6 % | 3.1 % | 2.5 | |
St. Clair County | 10.2 % | 4.7 % | 5.5 | |
Cities |
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Alton City | 12.1 % | 6.0 % | 6.1 | |
Belleville City | 11.4 % | 4.7 % | 6.7 | |
Collinsville City | 9.5 % | 3.9 % | 5.6 | |
East St. Louis City | 17.6 % | 8.1 % | 9.5 | |
Edwardsville City | 5.9 % | 2.8 % | 3.1 | |
Granite City | 10.7 % | 5.2 % | 5.5 | |
O'Fallon City | 8.2 % | 4.0 % | 4.2 | |
Counties |
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Greene County | 7.0 % | 4.5 % | 2.5 | |
Randolph County | 6.7 % | 3.3 % | 3.4 | |
Washington County | 4.5 % | 2.3 % | 2.2 | |
Other Areas |
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LWIA 21 | 7.3 % | 4.1 % | 3.2 | |
LWIA 22 | 8.2 % | 4.0 % | 4.2 | |
LWIA 24 | 8.7 % | 4.1 % | 4.6 | |
Southwestern EDR | 8.5 % | 4.1 % | 4.4 |
Metro East Highlights
The August 2020 unemployment rate for the Illinois Section of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area was 8.6 percent. The over-the-year rate increased +4.5 percentage points from the August 2019 rate of 4.1 percent. The data is not seasonally adjusted.
The labor force declined by -6,652 to 352,749 in August 2020 from 346,097 in August 2019. The number of employed individuals decreased by -9,269 to 322,464 in August 2020 from 331,760 in August 2019. In August 2020, there were 30,285 unemployed people in the labor force. This is an increase of +15,948 compared to the August 2019 total unemployed, 14,337.
The total number of nonfarm jobs was an all-time low of 227,400 in August 2020. Compared to August 2019, nonfarm jobs decreased by -13,900.
Payrolls increased in Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (+200).
Employment declined in Leisure and Hospitality (-4,600), Manufacturing (-2,900), Educational and Health Services
(-2,600), Other Services (-1,400), Professional and Business Services (-1,100), Financial Activities (-500), Mining and Construction (-100), and Information (-200).
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.
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