Unemployment Rates Down for the Sixth Consecutive Month, Jobs Up in Most Metro Areas

SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in September for the sixth consecutive month according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in twelve metropolitan areas and down in two.

"While today's data shows us how much has improved across the state over the last year, we know there is still room for further recovery and to get people back to the workforce," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.  "The Pritzker administration and IDES are committed to enhancing this recovery period by working with employers and dislocated workers to assist them in their search for jobseekers and career opportunities."

Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in twelve metropolitan areas and decreased in two. The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Kankakee MSA (+3.1%, +1,300), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+3.0%, +3,500), and the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (+3.0%, +105,200). Total nonfarm jobs were down in the Bloomington MSA ( -0.6%, -500) and the Rockford MSA ( -0.2%, -300).  The industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Leisure & Hospitality (fourteen areas); Transportation, Warehousing & Public Utilities (thirteen areas); Government (ten areas); Other Services (nine areas) and Educational &  Health Services (eight areas).

Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in all 14 metropolitan areas; the metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago Metro Division (-6.1 points to 6.1%), the Elgin Metro Division (-2.9 points to 4.9%) and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-2.6 points to 4.1%) and the Illinois section of the St. Louis, MO-IL MSA (-2.6 points to 4.5%). The unemployment rate also decreased over-the-year in all 102 counties for the sixth consecutive month.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) -September 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 decreased to 6.1 percent in September 2021 from 12.2 percent in September 2020.  The last time the September rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 3.3 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment increased +105,200 compared to September 2020.   The Information (-1,700) sector recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.  Professional-Business Services (+34,100), Leisure-Hospitality (+29,800), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+13,900) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in September 2021 from 7.8 percent in September 2020. The last time the September rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 3.4 percent. 

Total nonfarm employment increased +2,800 compared to September 2020.  The Government (-600), Professional-Business Services (-500), and Educational-Health Services (-500) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Retail Trade  (+2,000) and Leisure-Hospitality (+1,600) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.3 percent in September 2021 from 6.8 percent in September 2020. The last time the September rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 3.3 percent.   

Total nonfarm employment increased +7,200 compared to September    2020.     The Educational-Health Services (-2,300) and Professional-Business Services (-2,100) sectors recorded employment declines compared to one year ago. Leisure-Hospitality (+5,800), Manufacturing  (+2,500), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+2,000), and Government (+2,000) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Kankakee, IL MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.5 percent in September 2021 from 7.8 percent in September 2020.  The last time the September rate was equal to or lower was in 2019 when it was 3.9 percent.
 
Total nonfarm employment increased +1,300 compared to September 2020.  The Professional-Business Services (-200) sector recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.  The Leisure-Hospitality (+500) and Manufacturing (+400) sectors  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.