Illinois Sees Minimal Job Growth; Eight Metro Areas Lose Jobs

For Immediate Release Thursday, October 22, 2015

Anjali Julka Phone: 312.793.9635

Dennis Hoffman Phone: 618.242.7879

September was the nineteenth month in a row that unemployment rates fell in every metro area while eight metro areas across the state saw job loss 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).  Not seasonally adjusted data compares September 2015 with September 2014.
 
Illinois businesses lost jobs in eight metro areas including the Quad Cities (-2.3 percent, -4,200), Carbondale-Marion (-2.0 percent, -1,100), Peoria (-0.8 percent, -1,500), and Decatur (-0.8 percent, -400).  Illinois businesses added jobs in six metros, in which the largest increases were seen in: Champaign-Urbana (+1.7 percent, +1,900), Danville (+1.4 percent, +400), Elgin (+1.2 percent, +3,000), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+0.9 percent or +34,200).  The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were: Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (11 of 14), Retail Trade (eight of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (eight of 14).
 
“Illinois unemployment data since January have shown very weak employment growth compared to many other states,” IDES Director Jeff Mays said. “Sub-state data paint an even bleaker picture for areas outside of the Chicago area that have lost a net 10,000 jobs over the past year.  Additionally, our internal unemployment insurance claims data indicate the likelihood of labor market softening in the coming months.”
 
The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.1 percent in September 2015 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010.  Rates fell in 100 of Illinois’ 102 counties.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent in September 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 5.6 percent in September 2015 from 6.1 percent in September 2014 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties).  Unemployment decreased in 20 of 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 advances were reported in Retail Trade and Transportation.  Employment in Health Care Services continued to increase. Payroll gains were also reported in Professional-Business Services and Leisure-Hospitality. Construction activity, especially road and commercial projects, remained at substantial levels into the fall of 2015. Mining and Government employment declined during the past year.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in the fall of 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Education, Management and Production occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Food Service, Business and Finance, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupations. Workers were also needed for Computer and Engineering 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	September 2015	September 2014	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington	4.3%	5.0%	-0.7
Carbondale-Marion	5.6%	6.1%	-0.5
Champaign-Urbana	4.4%	5.4%	-1.0
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights	4.9%	6.2%	-1.3
Danville	6.4%	7.4%	-1.0
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	5.0%	6.0%	-1.0
Decatur	6.4%	7.3%	-0.9
Elgin	4.9%	5.8%	-0.9
Kankakee	5.9%	6.9%	-1.0
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	4.5%	5.5%	-1.0
Peoria	5.7%	6.2%	-0.5
Rockford	6.2%	7.1%	-0.9
Springfield	4.7%	5.4%	-0.7
St. Louis (IL-Section)	5.4%	6.4%	-1.0
Illinois Statewide	5.1%	6.2%	-1.1
* Data subject to revision.

 

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – September 2015

Metropolitan Area	September 2015*	September 2014**	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA	95,800	95,100	700
Carbondale-Marion MSA	54,300	55,400	-1,100
Champaign-Urbana MSA	110,500	108,600	1,900
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Div.	3,637,600	3,603,400	34,200
Danville MSA	29,700	29,300	400
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA	180,300	184,500	-4,200
Decatur MSA	51,000	51,400	-400
Elgin Metro Division	256,800	253,800	3,000
Kankakee MSA	45,100	45,400	-300
Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro Div.	402,800	403,800	-1,000
Peoria MSA	177,600	179,100	-1,500
Rockford MSA	151,900	152,100	-200
Springfield MSA	112,400	112,300	100
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA	231,800	233,500	-1,700
Illinois Statewide	5,947,300	5,920,100	27,200
	*Preliminary    **Revised