Unemployment Rates Increase in Most Metro Areas

Unemployment rates increased in a majority of the metro areas – as did the number of people entering the workforce – indicating many individuals did not find employment, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

“Though more people in Illinois entered the labor force, they were not able to find jobs,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “With Illinois trailing the rest of the country in job creation, we need structural reforms to get more people back to work.”

The unemployment rate increased in 13 metro areas and declined in one. Illinois businesses added jobs in nine metros, in which the largest increases were seen in: Rockford (+2.5 percent, +3,700), Lake-Kenosha (+2.1 percent, +8,200), and Carbondale-Marion (+1.8, +1,000). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+1.5 percent or +53,100). Illinois businesses lost jobs in four metro areas including Bloomington (-1.2 percent, -1,100), Danville (-1.0 percent, -300), and the Quad Cities (-0.9 percent, -1,700). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were: Retail (13 of 14), Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Education and Health Services (10 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (nine of 14), Government (nine of 14), Professional and Business Services (eight of 14) and Other Services (eight of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares January 2016 with January 2015.  The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 7.1 percent in January 2016 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.3 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
 
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in January 2016 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties).  In January 2015, the jobless rate was 6.5 percent. Unemployment increased throughout Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago.

Over the year, employment advances were reported in Retail Trade and Wholesale Trade. Health Care Services and Transportation continued to add workers. Payroll gains were also reported in Professional-Business Services. Sizable seasonal layoffs in Construction and Leisure-Hospitality were reported at the beginning of 2016. Mining, Financial Services, Information, and Government payrolls declined in Southern Illinois over the year.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales at the beginning of 2016. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Business and Finance, Engineering, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Workers were also needed for Production and Health Care Support, and Social Services.

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	January 2016	January 2015	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington	6.5%	5.3%	1.2
Carbondale-Marion	7.7%	6.5%	1.2
Champaign-Urbana	6.7%	5.7%	1.0
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights	6.6%	6.9%	-0.3
Danville	9.1%	7.7%	1.4
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	7.1%	6.5%	0.6
Decatur	8.7%	7.8%	0.9
Elgin	7.5%	6.7%	0.8
Kankakee	8.7%	7.9%	0.8
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	7.0%	6.4%	0.6
Peoria	8.6%	7.2%	1.4
Rockford	8.5%	7.7%	0.8
Springfield	6.6%	5.9%	0.7
St. Louis (IL-Section)	7.4%	6.8%	0.6
Illinois Statewide	7.1%	6.8%	0.3
* Data subject to revision.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
 

	Jan. 2016	Jan. 2015	Over-the-Year Change
Carbondale-Marion MSA	7.7%	6.5%	1.2
Jackson County	7.0%	6.2% 76.0%	0.8
Williamson County	8.4%	6.7%	1.7
Other Area Counties
Alexander County	10.2%	9.4%	0.8
Franklin County	10.3%	8.6%	1.7
Johnson County	11.7%	9.4%	2.3
Massac County	8.8%	7.8%	1.0
Perry County	9.0%	7.8%	1.2
Pulaski County	12.0%	9.4%	2.6
Randolph County	6.6%	6.4%	0.2
Union County	10.8%	8.9%	1.9
Harrisburg Area
Gallatin County	9.0%	6.7%	2.3
Hamilton County	7.1%	5.7%	1.4
Hardin County	10.1%	8.0%	2.1
Pope County	8.7%	6.9%	1.8
Saline County	10.1%	7.4%	2.7
White County	7.9%	5.4%	2.4
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area
Edwards County	8.4%	6.7%	1.7
Lawrence County	8.9%	7.5%	1.4
Richland County	8.1%	6.4%	1.7
Wabash County	7.6%	6.0%	1.6
Wayne County	9.9%	6.8%	3.1