Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down for Every Metro Area Compared to Last March

SPRINGFIELD - The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in March, 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 the state moves through pandemic recovery and the economy begins to heal itself, the major focus remains on assisting claimants and providing support to those still impacted," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.  "IDES remains committed to administering benefits and providing job-matching services to individuals dislocated from their jobs as a result of the pandemic and eager to jump back into the workforce."

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 Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-7.5%, -280,400), the Kankakee MSA (-7.1%, -3,200), and the Decatur MSA (-6.3%, -3,100). Three metro areas recorded their lowest total nonfarm jobs for the month of March 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 (+3.8 points to 7.7%), Decatur MSA (+3.4 points to 8.6%), the Rockford MSA (+2.8 points to 8.1%). The not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 7.1 percent in March 2021.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.2 percent in March 2021.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - March 2021

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 7.7 percent in March 2021 from 3.9 percent in March 2020.  The last time the March rate was equal to or higher was in 2014 when it was 8.2 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment decreased -280,400 compared to March 2020.  The Leisure-Hospitality (-115,000), Professional-Business Services (-33,500), Educational-Health Services (-30,900), and Government (-25,600) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.0 percent in March 2021 from 4.5 percent in March 2020. The last time the March rate was equal to or higher was in 2014 when it was 8.4 percent.
 
Total nonfarm employment decreased -15,800 compared to March 2020.  The Leisure-Hospitality (-4,700),     Government (-3,700), Manufacturing (-2,300), Professional-Business Services (-2,100), and Educational-Health Services (-1,900) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Retail Trade (+800) and Construction (+100) 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 March 2021 from 4.3 percent in March 2020. The last time the March rate was equal to or higher was in 2014 when it was 7.9 percent.
 
Total nonfarm employment decreased -19,000 compared to March    2020.     Leisure-Hospitality  (-5,600),  Educational-Health Services (-4,300),  Government   (-4,000), and Retail Trade (-2,200) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+2,400) had payroll gains over the year.

Kankakee, IL MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.5 percent in March 2021 from 4.9 percent in March 2020.  The last time the March rate was equal to or higher was in 2014 when it was 9.7 percent.
 
Total nonfarm employment decreased -3,200 compared to March 2020.  The Educational-Health Services (-1,100), Leisure-Hospitality (-700), and Government (-400) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. 

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.