Unemployment Rates Down; Job Growth Remains Slow and Uneven
Illinois Department of Employment Security
| For Immediate Release Thursday, September 24, 2015 |
Anjali Julka Phone: 312.793.9635 |
Dennis Hoffman Phone: 618.242.7879 |
August was the 18th 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). Despite some job growth, six metro areas saw job loss.
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metros. The largest increases were seen in: Carbondale-Marion (+1.7 percent, +900), Danville (+1.7 percent, +500), Champaign-Urbana (+1.3 percent, +1,300), and Elgin (+1.3 percent, +3,300), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+1.0 percent or +35,900). Decreases were seen in: Quad Cities (-2.3 percent, -4,200), Kankakee (-1.6 percent, -700), and Peoria (-1.4 percent, -2,600). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were: Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (11 of 14), Retail Trade (nine of 14) Wholesale Trade (eight of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (eight of 14).
“Typically when the unemployment rate goes down, the number of people getting jobs goes up. But since that is not the case in many of Illinois’ metro areas, focusing only on the decline in unemployment rates does not tell the whole story,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “With many people dropping out of the labor force, thereby pulling the unemployment rate down, we need to increase job growth in all metro areas.”
Not seasonally adjusted data compares August 2015 with August 2014. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.6 percent in August 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 5.2 percent in August and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. Rates also fell in 101 of Illinois’ 102 counties. 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 5.7 percent in August 2015 from 7.1 percent in August 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 gradually improved during the past year in Southern Illinois.
Over the year, employment gains were reported in Retail Trade, Wholesale Trade, and Business-Professional Services. Employment in Health Care Services continued to increase. Payroll advances were also reported in Leisure-Hospitality and Transportation. Construction activity, especially road and commercial projects, remained at substantial levels during the summer.
Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in August 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, Construction occupations, and Business and Financial 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.
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.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | August 2015 | August 2014 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 4.5% | 5.7% | -1.2 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 5.7% | 7.1% | -1.4 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.9% | 6.5% | -1.6 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 5.7% | 6.9% | -1.2 |
| Danville | 6.7% | 8.5% | -1.8 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.1% | 5.9% | -0.8 |
| Decatur | 6.8% | 8.4% | -1.6 |
| Elgin | 5.1% | 6.6% | -1.5 |
| Kankakee | 6.1% | 7.8% | -1.7 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.7% | 6.1% | -1.4 |
| Peoria | 6.0% | 7.0% | -1.0 |
| Rockford | 6.4% | 8.0% | -1.6 |
| Springfield | 4.7% | 5.9% | -1.2 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.6% | 7.1% | -1.5 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5.6% | 6.9% | -1.3 |
| * Data subject to revision. |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – August 2015
| Metropolitan Area | August 2015* |
August 2014** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 94,500 | 94,000 | 500 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 53,600 | 52,700 | 900 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 102,000 | 100,700 | 1,300 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Div. | 3,644,700 | 3,608,800 | 35,900 |
| Danville MSA | 29,600 | 29,100 | 500 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA | 181,800 | 186,000 | -4,200 |
| Decatur MSA | 50,800 | 50,900 | -100 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 255,100 | 251,800 | 3,300 |
| Kankakee MSA | 44,000 | 44,700 | -700 |
| Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro Div. | 408,100 | 406,200 | 1,900 |
| Peoria MSA | 177,600 | 180,200 | -2,600 |
| Rockford MSA | 152,200 | 151,000 | 1,200 |
| Springfield MSA | 114,500 | 115,100 | -600 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 228,800 | 229,900 | -1,100 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5,935,700 | 5,903,500 | 32,200 |
| *Preliminary **Revised | |||
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Aug. 2015 |
Aug. 2014 |
Over-the-Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 5.7% | 7.1% | -1.4 |
| Jackson County | 5.4% | 6.8% | -1.4 |
| Williamson County | 6.0% | 7.4% | -1.4 |
| Other Area Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 8.1% | 10.5% | -2.4 |
| Franklin County | 7.9% | 9.4% | -1.5 |
| Johnson County | 7.8% | 9.7% | -1.9 |
| Massac County | 6.8% | 8.1% | -1.3 |
| Perry County | 6.6% | 8.4% | -1.8 |
| Pulaski County | 8.4% | 10.6% | -2.2 |
| Randolph County | 5.1% | 6.7% | -1.6 |
| Union County | 6.8% | 8.5% | -1.7 |
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 7.0% | 7.4% | -0.4 |
| Hamilton County | 5.0% | 5.8% | -0.8 |
| Hardin County | 7.0% | 9.2% | -2.2 |
| Pope County | 7.0% | 9.1% | -2.1 |
| Saline County | 7.1% | 8.0% | -0.9 |
| White County | 5.5% | 6.0% | -0.5 |
| Olney - Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 5.1% | 6.5% | -1.4 |
| Lawrence County | 6.4% | 7.9% | -1.5 |
| Richland County | 5.9% | 6.8% | -0.9 |
| Wabash County | 5.4% | 6.0% | -0.6 |
| Wayne County | 6.3% | 6.6% | -0.3 |