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Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down in All Metro Areas Across the State

Press Release - Wednesday, December 23, 2020

SPRINGFIELD - The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in November, 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. 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.

"IDES and the Pritzker administration are committed to serving the needs of workers, claimants, and families impacted by the continued pandemic," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "With the passing of the new federal Covid-19 relief legislation, IDES will work as quickly as possible to implement the extensions and creation of unemployment programs included in the new stimulus if and when it is signed.  The Department remains dedicated to serving claimants who desperately need the services of IDES, particularly during this difficult holiday season."

The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas.  Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-9.6%, -16,300), Elgin (-9.3%, -24,500), and Rockford (-8.1%, -12,200). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down 7.1% (-274,100). Three metro areas recorded a new record low number of nonfarm jobs for November (dating back to 1990) and one tied a record low.

Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2020 with November 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.5 percent in November 2020.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in November 2020.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area

November 2020*

November 2019**

Over-the-Year

Bloomington

4.6%

3.2%

1.4

Carbondale-Marion

5.1%

3.5%

1.6

Champaign-Urbana

4.5%

3.2%

1.3

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights

7.3%

3.0%

4.3

Danville

6.1%

4.7%

1.4

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

4.8%

4.0%

0.8

Decatur

7.7%

4.8%

2.9

Elgin

6.0%

3.7%

2.3

Kankakee

6.0%

4.8%

1.2

Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI

5.5%

3.5%

2.0

Peoria

6.2%

4.2%

2.0

Rockford

7.1%

5.3%

1.8

Springfield

5.8%

3.5%

2.3

St. Louis (IL-Section)

5.0%

3.5%

1.5

Illinois Statewide

6.5%

3.4%

3.1

* Preliminary  I ** Revised

 

 

 













Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - November 2020

Metropolitan Area

November

November

Over-the-Year

 

2020*

2019**

Change

Bloomington MSA

88,300

94,200

-5,900

Carbondale-Marion MSA

57,300

59,200

-1,900

Champaign-Urbana MSA

114,800

119,600

-4,800

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division

3,561,100

3,835,200

-274,100

Danville MSA

26,600

27,600

-1,000

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

177,300

188,000

-10,700

Decatur MSA

46,800

50,500

-3,700

Elgin Metro Division

238,700

263,200

-24,500

Kankakee MSA

44,500

46,800

-2,300

Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division

392,500

420,500

-28,000

Peoria MSA

153,800

170,100

-16,300

Rockford MSA

137,700

149,900

-12,200

Springfield MSA

104,100

110,000

-5,900

Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA

234,500

244,200

-9,700

Illinois Statewide

5,752,300

6,169,300

-417,000

*Preliminary | **Revised

  

 


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

Labor Market Area

Nov 2020

Nov 2019

Over the Year Change

 
 

Champaign-Urbana MSA

 

 

 

Champaign County

4.6 %

3.1 %

1.5

 

Ford County

4.3 %

3.8 %

0.5

 

Piatt County

3.8 %

2.9 %

0.9

 

Danville MSA

 

 

 

 

Vermilion

6.1 %

4.7 %

1.4

 

Cities

 

 

 

 

Champaign City

4.8 %

3.1 %

1.7

 

Urbana City

4.6 %

3.4 %

1.2

 

Danville City

7.9 %

5.2 %

2.7

 

Counties

 

 

 

 

Clark County

4.4 %

3.9 %

0.5

 

Coles County

5.0 %

3.4 %

1.6

 

Cook County

7.9 %

3.1 %

4.8

 

De Witt County

4.8 %

3.5 %

1.3

 

Douglas County

3.7 %

3.0 %

0.7

 

Edgar County

4.0 %

3.8 %

0.2

 

Iroquois County

4.0 %

3.8 %

0.2

 

McLean County

4.6 %

3.2 %

1.4

 

Macon County

7.7 %

4.8 %

2.9

 

Moultrie County

3.5 %

2.9 %

0.6

 

Sangamon County

5.9 %

3.5 %

2.4

 

Shelby County

3.9 %

3.5 %

0.4

 

Other Areas

 

 

 

 

LWIA 17

4.4 %

3.2 %

1.2

 

LWIA 18

6.1 %

4.7 %

1.4

 

East Central EDR

4.7 %

3.5 %

1.2

 


East Central Illinois Highlights

Champaign-Urbana MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.5 percent in November 2020 from 3.2 percent in November 2019. The last time the November rate was equal to or higher was in 2016 when it was 4.5 percent. 

Nonfarm employment decreased by -4,800 compared to last November. 

Government (-1,500), Leisure-Hospitality (-1,200), Retail Trade (-1,000), Professional-Business Services (-600), and Manufacturing (-500) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. The Other Services (+200) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+200) sectors reported payroll gains.

Danville MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.1 percent in November 2020 from 4.7 percent in November 2019. The last time the November rate was equal to or higher was in 2016 when it was 6.6 percent. 

Nonfarm employment decreased by -1,000 compared to last November. 

The Manufacturing (-300), Educational-Health Services (-200), Leisure-Hospitality (-200), and Government (-200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. The Retail Trade (+100) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+100) sectors reported payroll gains.


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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