Unemployment Rates Continue Downward Trend in All Metro Areas

July was the seventeenth 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 of Illinois’s 102 counties for the fifteenth time in the last sixteen months. Not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2015 with July 2014.
 
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metros. The largest increases were seen in: Danville (+2.1 percent, +600), Champaign-Urbana (+2.0 percent, +2,000), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+1.6 percent or +56,200).  Decreases were seen in: Quad Cities (-1.9 percent, -3,600), Peoria (-1.1 percent, -1,900), and Carbondale-Marion (-0.9 percent, -500).  The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were: Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (11 of 14), Professional and Business Services (nine of 14), Wholesale Trade (eight of 14), Retail Trade (eight of 14) Education and Health Services (eight of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (eight of 14).
 
“The year-over-year statewide unemployment rate has declined from 7.3 percent to 5.9 percent and continues to fall in all metro areas,” IDES Director Jeff Mays said. “However, we are still concerned that the long-term unemployed are still having difficulty finding jobs while there were 205,700 on-line job postings by Illinois employers in July.”
 
The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.9 percent in July 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 5.6 percent in July 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
 
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 6.0 percent in July 2015 from 7.3 percent in July 2014 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties).  Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Labor market conditions have steadily improved during the past year in Southern Illinois.

Over the year, employment gains were reported in Retail Trade, Wholesale Trade, and Professional-Business Services. Employment in Health Care Services continued upward. Payroll advances were also reported in Leisure-Hospitality and Transportation. Construction activity, especially road and commercial projects, remained at significant levels during the summer.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in July 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Education, Management and Computer occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Food Service, Production, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupations. Workers were also needed for Building and Grounds Maintenance and Construction 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.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area	July 2015	July 2014	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington	4.7%	6.0%	-1.3
Carbondale-Marion	6.0%	7.3%	-1.3
Champaign-Urbana	5.0%	6.6%	-1.6
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights	6.1%	7.4%	-1.3
Danville	6.7%	8.8%	-2.1
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	5.1%	6.3%	-1.2
Decatur	7.2%	8.8%	-1.6
Elgin	5.2%	6.8%	-1.6
Kankakee	6.2%	8.0%	-1.8
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	4.9%	6.3%	-1.4
Peoria	6.2%	7.3%	-1.1
Rockford	7.1%	8.4%	-1.3
Springfield	4.9%	6.1%	-1.2
St. Louis (IL-Section)	5.8%	7.5%	-1.7
Illinois Statewide	5.9%	7.3%	-1.4
* Data subject to revision.

 

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – July 2015

Metropolitan Area	July 2015*	July 2014**	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA	93,100	92,600	500
Carbondale-Marion MSA	52,600	53,100	-500
Champaign-Urbana MSA	104,500	102,500	2,000
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Div.	3,655,500	3,599,300	56,200
Danville MSA	29,600	29,000	600
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA	182,300	185,900	-3,600
Decatur MSA	50,600	51,000	-400
Elgin Metro Division	255,300	252,300	3,000
Kankakee MSA	44,400	44,100	300
Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro Div.	410,800	408,300	2,500
Peoria MSA	177,200	179,100	-1,900
Rockford MSA	151,700	150,500	1,200
Springfield MSA	111,400	111,400	-0-
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA	226,900	228,700	-1,800
Illinois Statewide	5,943,100	5,889,600	53,500