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 | |
Mattoon-Charleston Area |
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Clark County | 7.2 % | 4.2 % | 3.0 | |
Coles County | 8.7 % | 4.1 % | 4.6 | |
Cumberland County | 5.7 % | 3.1 % | 2.6 | |
Douglas County | 6.1 % | 3.8 % | 2.3 | |
Edgar County | 6.6 % | 4.1 % | 2.5 | |
Moultrie County | 5.5 % | 3.4 % | 2.1 | |
Shelby County | 6.7 % | 3.7 % | 3.0 | |
Effingham Area |
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Clay County | 8.2 % | 4.6 % | 3.6 | |
Crawford County | 7.3 % | 4.3 % | 3.0 | |
Effingham County | 6.8 % | 3.1 % | 3.7 | |
Fayette County | 8.0 % | 4.1 % | 3.9 | |
Jasper County | 5.6 % | 3.9 % | 1.7 | |
Centralia - Mt. Vernon Area |
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Clinton County | 5.6 % | 2.9 % | 2.7 | |
Hamilton County | 5.9 % | 3.9 % | 2.0 | |
Jefferson County | 9.2 % | 4.8 % | 4.4 | |
Marion County | 8.6 % | 4.6 % | 4.0 | |
Washington County | 4.5 % | 2.3 % | 2.2 | |
Wayne County | 7.3 % | 4.8 % | 2.5 | |
Other Areas |
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LWIA 21 | 7.3 % | 4.1 % | 3.2 | |
LWIA 23 | 7.5 % | 4.0 % | 3.5 | |
LWIA 24 | 8.7 % | 4.1 % | 4.6 | |
LWIA 25 | 8.9 % | 4.6 % | 4.3 | |
LWIA 26 | 8.2 % | 5.0 % | 3.2 | |
Southeastern EDR | 7.5 % | 4.0 % | 3.5 |
South Central Illinois Highlights
Mattoon - Charleston Area
August nonfarm employment decreased by -2,625 since August 2020.
Employment gains were posted in Construction (+175), Financial Activities (+125), Information (+100), and Natural Resources and Mining (+25).
Payrolls decreased in Manufacturing (-925), Educational and Health Services (-575), Leisure and Hospitality (-550), Professional and Business Services (-325), Other Services (-300), Government (-225), and Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-125).
Effingham Area
Nonfarm employment in August decreased by -2,125 compared to last year.
Employment gains were posted in Construction (+50), and Natural Resources and Mining (+25).
Payrolls declined in Manufacturing (-725), Leisure and Hospitality (-400), Educational and Health Services (-375), Professional and Business Services (-200), Government (-275), Other Services (-150), Financial Activities (-50), and Trade Transportation and Utilities (-50). Information employment remained unchanged.
Centralia - Mt. Vernon Area
August nonfarm employment decreased by -4,400 since August 2019.
Employment decreased in Manufacturing (-1,475), Leisure and Hospitality (-900), Educational and Health Services (-925), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-225), Government (-325), Other Services (-275), Financial Activities (-75), Professional and Business Services (-100), Natural Resources and Mining (-50), and Information (-75). There was no change in Construction employment.
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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