Unemployment Rates Continue Dropping in All Metro Areas

January was the eleventh month in a row that unemployment rates fell in every metro area in the state compared to a year ago, according to preliminary data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Rates also fell in all 102 counties for the sixth consecutive month and the seventh time out of the last eight months. Not seasonally adjusted data compares January 2015 with January 2014.

Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metros. Largest increases: Danville (+2.8 percent, +800), Champaign-Urbana (+2.0 percent, +2,100), Rockford (+1.7 percent, +2,400) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+1.6 percent, +56,800). Decreases: Carbondale-Marion (-1.9 percent, -1,000), Decatur (-1.2 percent, -600) and Bloomington (-1.0 percent, -900). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (10 of 14), Retail Trade (9 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (9 of 14) and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).

“Unemployment rates continue to decline across all metro areas and counties, primarily due to increased employment. Job growth is stronger among the larger urban areas such as Chicago and Rockford,” IDES Director Jeff Mays said. “Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities jobs increased in ten of the 14 metro areas in January.”

The January 2015 not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.9 percent and 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.1 percent in January and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.

Southern Illinois Highlights

Beginning in 2015, Jackson and Williamson Counties have been designated by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The January jobless rate for the Carbondale-Marion MSA was 6.8 percent as compared to 8.4 percent one year ago. Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Overall, labor market conditions have steadily improved during the past year in Southern Illinois. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

Employment advances were reported in Professional-Business Services and Health Care. Payroll gains also occurred in Transportation and Wholesale Trade. However, seasonal layoffs prevailed in Retail Trade and Restaurants as employers reduced worker’s hours after the holidays. Inclement weather conditions reduced Conduction activity.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, and Transportation at the beginning of 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, and Management occupations. Career prospects were also available in Education, Finance, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupations.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development. 

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area	Jan. 2015	Jan. 2014	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington	5.4%	6.7%	-1.3
Carbondale-Marion	6.8%	8.4%	-1.6
Champaign-Urbana	5.8%	7.3%	-1.5
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights	6.8%	8.8%	-2.0
Danville	7.8%	10.9%	-3.1
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	6.5%	7.6%	-1.1
Decatur	8.0%	11.4%	-3.4
Elgin	6.8%	8.9%	-2.1
Kankakee	7.9%	10.4%	-2.5
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	6.5%	8.2%	-1.7
Peoria	7.3%	8.9%	-1.6
Rockford	7.8%	11.0%	-3.2
Springfield	6.0%	7.3%	-1.3
St. Louis (IL-Section)	6.9%	9.1%	-2.2
Illinois Statewide	6.9%	8.8%	-1.9
* Data subject to revision.

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – January 2015

Metropolitan Area	January 2015*	January 2014**	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA	92,800	93,700	-900
Carbondale-Marion MSA	52,600	53,600	-1,000
Champaign-Urbana MSA	106,000	103,900	2,100
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Div.	3,539,100	3,482,300	56,800
Danville MSA	28,900	28,100	800
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA	180,400	179,400	1,000
Decatur MSA	49,400	50,000	-600
Elgin Metro Division	242,400	239,800	2,600
Kankakee MSA	43,700	43,500	200
Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro Div.	388,100	386,100	2,000
Peoria MSA	175,900	174,900	1,000
Rockford MSA	147,800	145,400	2,400
Springfield MSA	109,800	109,200	600
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA	224,300	223,000	1,300
Illinois Statewide	5,782,100	5,711,100	71,000
	*Preliminary    **Revised