Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down in January for All State Metro Areas

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

"The Pritzker administration remains steadfast in providing support and services to individuals impacted by this pandemic more than a year later," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "As IDES works to rollout the new extensions provided in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to ensure eligible claimants have access to benefits, they will continue to provide job-matching resources to individuals as the economy works to recover statewide."

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 Kankakee MSA (-9.8%, -4,500), the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-9.1%, -342,700) and the Elgin Metropolitan Division (-8.4%, -21,400). Three metro areas recorded their lowest total nonfarm jobs for the month of January 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 (+5.3 points to 9.1%), the Decatur MSA (+5.1 points to 9.9%) and the Springfield MSA (+3.9 points to 7.6%). The not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 8.5 percent in January 2021.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.8 percent in January 2021.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) -January 2021

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

Central Illinois Highlights

Decatur MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 9.9 percent in January 2021 from 4.8 percent in January 2020. There were an estimated 4,598 unemployed people in the labor force in January 2021.

The number of total nonfarm jobs in the Decatur metro area decreased by -3,700 compared to one year ago.
Payrolls were unchanged in Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, and Financial Activities.  

January payrolls posted declines in Educational and Health Services (-1,000), Leisure and Hospitality (-800), Manufacturing (-500), Government (-500), Retail Trade (-200), Wholesale Trade (-200), Other Services (-200), Construction and Mining (-100), Information (-100), and Professional and Business Services (-100). 

Springfield MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.6 percent in January 2021 from 3.7 percent in January 2020. There were an estimated 7,637 unemployed people in the labor force in January 2021.

The number of total nonfarm jobs in the Springfield metro area decreased by -8,400 compared to one year ago.

Payrolls increased in Professional and Business Services (+600) compared to January 2020.

January payrolls posted declines in Leisure and Hospitality (-3,300), Government (-2,000),  Educational and Health Services (-1,400), Information (-800), Manufacturing (-500), Financial Activities (-300), Mining and Construction (-200), Other Services (-200), Wholesale Trade (-100), Retail Trade (-100), and  Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (-100).

Note: Monthly 2020 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2021, 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.