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

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

"As Illinois works to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic with the ongoing vaccine rollout, IDES remains committed to supporting displaced workers and families by offering support and services to those who need it," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "The Pritzker administration and IDES continue to work with the U.S. Department of Labor to implement the new federal unemployment program changes as seamlessly as possible to ensure claimants have access to benefits for which they are eligible to receive."

The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas.  The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Peoria MSA (-9.6%, -16,300), the Elgin Metropolitan Division (-9.2%, -24,100) and the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-7.4%, -284,800). Three metro areas recorded their lowest total nonfarm jobs for the month of December on record (dating back to 1990).

Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in all 14 metropolitan areas; the metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (+5.9 points to 8.7%), the Decatur MSA (+3.0 points to 8.2%) and the Springfield MSA (+2.5 points to 6.3%). The not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 7.5 percent in December 2020.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in December 2020.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - December 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 8.7 percent in December 2020 from 2.8 percent in December 2019.  The last time the December rate was equal to or higher was in 2012 when it was 9.2 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment decreased -284,800 compared to December 2019.  The Leisure-Hospitality (-132,400), Government (-32,800), Professional-Business Services (-28,300), and Educational-Health Services (-27,600) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.5 percent in December 2020 from 4.4 percent in December 2019. The last time the December rate was equal to or higher was in 2013 when it was 8.0 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment decreased -24,100 compared to December 2019.  The Leisure-Hospitality (-7,900),    Educational-Health Services (-4,000),  Other Services (-3,000),  and Government  (-2,900) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Retail Trade (+1,000) had payroll gains over the year.

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.2 percent in December 2020 from 4.1 percent in December 2019. The last time the December rate was equal to or higher was in 2013 when it was 7.4 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment decreased -28,700 compared to December 2019.    Leisure-Hospitality (-13,400),   Professional-Business Services (-5,300),  Government  (-4,800), and Educational-Health Services (-1,800)  sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+1,600) had payroll gains over the year.

Kankakee, IL MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.4 percent in December 2020 from 5.4 percent in December 2019.  The last time the December rate was equal to or higher was in 2016 when it was 6.5 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment decreased -2,600 compared to December 2019. The Educational-Health Services  (-1,100),    Government (-900), Leisure-Hospitality (-300), Professional-Business Services (-300), and Other Services (-200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.  Retail Trade (+300), Manufacturing (+100), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+100) 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.