Strong Job Gains in Northern Illinois; Downstate Continues to Struggle
April was the fourteenth 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 101 of Illinois’s 102 counties. Not seasonally adjusted data compares April 2015 with April 2014.Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metros. The largest increases were seen in: Kankakee (+2.7 percent, +1,200), Elgin Metro Division (+2.4 percent, +6,000) and the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+1.4 percent, +49,400). Decreases were seen in: Peoria (-1.7 percent, -3,100), Carbondale-Marion (-1.6 percent, -900) and Decatur (-1.6 percent, -800). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (eleven of 14) and Retail Trade (ten of 14).
“Metro areas in northern Illinois posted strong job gains, while most downstate areas lost ground,” IDES Director Jeff Mays said. “Yet even in areas that lost jobs, there are good jobs going unfilled. We can and must improve on how we connect the unemployed seeking work with employers seeking workers.”
The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.5 percent in April 2015 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in April 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.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | Apr. 2015 | Apr. 2014 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 3.9% | 4.9% | -1.0 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 5.3% | 6.3% | -1.0 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.1% | 5.2% | -1.1 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 5.9% | 7.1% | -1.2 |
| Danville | 5.9% | 8.0% | -2.1 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.0% | 5.7% | -0.7 |
| Decatur | 5.9% | 8.3% | -2.4 |
| Elgin | 4.8% | 6.5% | -1.7 |
| Kankakee | 5.8% | 7.9% | -2.1 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.6% | 6.1% | -1.5 |
| Peoria | 5.3% | 6.6% | -1.3 |
| Rockford | 5.8% | 8.2% | -2.4 |
| Springfield | 4.3% | 5.3% | -1.0 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.0% | 6.5% | -1.5 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5.5% | 6.8% | -1.3 |
| * Data subject to revision. |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – April 2015
| Metropolitan Area | April 2015* |
April 2014** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 94,500 | 95,800 | -1,300 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 54,300 | 55,200 | -900 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 110,500 | 109,300 | 1,200 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Div. | 3,602,500 | 3,553,100 | 49,400 |
| Danville MSA | 29,200 | 28,900 | 300 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA | 183,000 | 183,100 | -100 |
| Decatur MSA | 50,100 | 50,900 | -800 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 252,900 | 246,900 | 6,000 |
| Kankakee MSA | 44,900 | 43,700 | 1,200 |
| Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro Div. | 398,200 | 396,100 | 2,100 |
| Peoria MSA | 176,700 | 179,800 | -3,100 |
| Rockford MSA | 150,900 | 148,900 | 2,000 |
| Springfield MSA | 111,800 | 111,200 | 600 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 231,800 | 223,400 | -1,600 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5,900,900 | 5,846,000 | 54,900 |
| *Preliminary **Revised | |||
Southern Illinois Highlights
Unemployment declined to 5.3 percent in April 2015 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). The April 2014 jobless rate for the Carbondale-Marion MSA was 6.3 percent. Unemployment decreased in 20 of 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 gains were reported in Transportation, Professional-Business Services and Health Care. Seasonal payroll advances were reported in Retail Trade and Leisure-Hospitality. Construction activity increased as favorable weather conditions prevailed. Employment increases occurred in Other Services which includes maintenance and repair of machinery and equipment and personal services.
Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care and Transportation in April 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Sales, and Management occupations. Career prospects were also favorable in Education, Food Service, Production, 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
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| April 2015 |
April 2014 |
Over-the-Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 5.3% | 6.3% | -1.0 |
| Jackson County | 4.9% | 5.7% | -0.8 |
| Williamson County | 5.6% | 6.8% | -1.2 |
| Other Area Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 6.8% | 9.9% | -3.1 |
| Franklin County | 6.8% | 8.7% | -1.9 |
| Johnson County | 7.0% | 8.6% | -1.6 |
| Massac County | 5.8% | 6.9% | -1.1 |
| Perry County | 6.0% | 7.9% | -1.9 |
| Pulaski County | 7.2% | 9.5% | -2.3 |
| Randolph County | 4.5% | 5.9% | -1.4 |
| Union County | 6.7% | 8.4% | -1.7 |
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 5.6% | 6.6% | -1.0 |
| Hamilton County | 4.5% | 5.4% | -0.9 |
| Hardin County | 6.4% | 7.4% | -1.0 |
| Pope County | 5.0% | 7.2% | -2.2 |
| Saline County | 6.2% | 7.5% | -1.3 |
| White County | 4.8% | 5.8% | -1.0 |
| Olney - Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 5.5% | 6.7% | -1.2 |
| Lawrence County | 5.5% | 6.8% | -1.3 |
| Richland County | 5.6% | 6.0% | -0.4 |
| Wabash County | 4.8% | 5.5% | -0.7 |
| Wayne County | 6.5% | 6.1% | +0.4 |
Note:
- Monthly 2014 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February 2015, as required by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (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.