Unemployment Rates Down, Jobs Up in Most Metro Areas, Unchanged in One Compared to July 2020

SPRINGFIELD - The number of nonfarm jobs increased over-the-year in thirteen of the fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in July 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 decreased over-the-year in all metro areas.

"Today's data is reflective that reopening and recovery is touching every corner of the state," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.  "With the expiration of federal unemployment programs in a week and a half, IDES is focused on matching jobseekers with employers to continue to assist with statewide economic recovery."

The number of nonfarm jobs increased in thirteen Illinois metropolitan area and was unchanged in one; the Rockford MSA saw no change in total nonfarm jobs. The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (+4.4%, +7,500), the Chicago Metro Division (+4.3%, +148,800) and the Peoria MSA (+4.3%, +6,800). The industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Leisure & Hospitality (fourteen areas); Transportation, Warehousing & Public Utilities, Other Services and Government (eleven areas each); Mining & Construction, Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade, Professional & Business Services and Educational &  Health Services (nine areas each).

Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in all 14 metropolitan areas; the metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Rockford MSA (-7.3 points to 8.7%), the Elgin Metro Division (-6.6 points to 5.6%) and the Decatur MSA (-6.2 points to 7.5%). The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division unemployment rate fell -5.3 points to 8.0%.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) -July 2021

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

Rockford MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 8.7 percent in July 2021 from 16.0 percent in July 2020. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 6.3 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment in July 2021 was unchanged from its July 2020 level of 136,700.

Manufacturing (-2,500), Professional-Business Services (-500), and Retail Trade (-400) sectors recorded the largest employment declines over the year. The largest payroll gains over the year were in Leisure-Hospitality (+1,700), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+600), and Construction (+500).

Ogle County

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.5 percent in July 2021 from 11.4 percent in July 2020. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 4.5 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment increased +925 over the year.
 
Construction (+700) and Leisure-Hospitality (+150) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Stephenson County  

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.2 percent in July 2021 from 9.7 percent in July 2020. The last time the July rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 4.1 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment increased +400 over the year. 

Leisure-Hospitality (+100), Government (+100), and Construction (+100) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

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.