Unemployment Rates Increase in All Metro Areas
All metropolitan areas in Illinois experienced over- the-year unemployment rate increases for the third consecutive month, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).“Illinois is tied for the highest unemployment rate in the nation, even though in prior months, some areas have experienced relatively low unemployment rates,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “This is the first time since January 2010 that every county has had over-the-year increases in their unemployment rate. This is significant in helping to determine true economic conditions across all regions of the state.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metros, in which the largest increases were seen in: Lake-Kenosha (+3.1 percent, +12,200), Rockford (+2.2 percent, +3,300), and Springfield (+1.5, +1,700). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+1.5 percent or +55,000). Illinois businesses lost jobs in six metro areas including Bloomington (-2.7 percent, -2,600), Carbondale-Marion (-1.7 percent, -1,000), and the Quad Cities (-1.6 percent, -2,900). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were: Education and Health Services (11 of 14), Retail Trade (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (eight of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (eight of 14), Other Services (eight of 14), and Government (eight of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares April 2016 with April 2015. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.2 percent in April 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 4.7 percent in April 2016 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 | April 2016 |
April 2015 |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 5.4% | 3.9% | 1.5 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 6.3% | 5.0% | 1.3 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 5.3% | 4.2% | 1.1 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 6.3% | 5.7% | 0.6 |
| Danville | 7.5% | 6.0% | 1.5 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 5.8% | 5.0% | 0.8 |
| Decatur | 7.1% | 5.9% | 1.2 |
| Elgin | 5.8% | 4.9% | 0.9 |
| Kankakee | 6.8% | 5.9% | 0.9 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 5.4% | 4.7% | 0.7 |
| Peoria | 6.9% | 5.3% | 1.6 |
| Rockford | 6.9% | 6.0% | 0.9 |
| Springfield | 5.1% | 4.4% | 0.7 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 6.1% | 5.1% | 1.0 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6.2% | 5.4% | 0.8 |
| * Data subject to revision. |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – April 2016
| Metropolitan Area | April 2016* |
April 2015** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 94,300 | 96,900 | -2,600 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 58,000 | 59,000 | -1,000 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 111,700 | 110,800 | 900 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,677,800 | 3,622,800 | 55,000 |
| Danville MSA | 29,600 | 29,400 | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 180,600 | 183,500 | -2,900 |
| Decatur MSA | 50,700 | 51,200 | -500 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 258,100 | 254,900 | 3,200 |
| Kankakee MSA | 44,800 | 44,900 | -100 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 411,700 | 399,500 | 12,200 |
| Peoria MSA | 177,300 | 178,500 | -1,200 |
| Rockford MSA | 154,000 | 150,700 | 3,300 |
| Springfield MSA | 114,400 | 112,700 | 1,700 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 237,600 | 236,100 | 1,500 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5,992,200 | 5,935,400 | 56,800 |
| *Preliminary **Revised | |||
Southern Illinois Highlights
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in April 2016 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties), up from 5.0 percent in April 2015. Unemployment increased throughout Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Stable workforce conditions prevailed in the first four months of 2016.
Over the year, employment advances were reported in Retail Trade and Health Care Services. Manufacturing and Leisure-Hospitality firms added workers. Payroll gains were also reported in Professional-Business Services and Financial Activities. As weather conditions improved, hiring increased for Construction this spring. Mining, Information and Government payrolls continued to decrease in Southern Illinois.
Employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in the spring of 2016. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Social Services, Business and Financial, Education, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Workers were also needed for Production, Health Care Support, Constructions, and Building and Ground Maintenance.
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
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| April 2016 |
April 2015 |
Over-the-Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 6.3% | 5.0% | 1.3 |
| Jackson County | 5.8% | 4.7% | 1.1 |
| Williamson County | 6.8% | 5.3% | 1.5 |
| Other Area Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 8.7% | 7.0% | 1.7 |
| Franklin County | 8.8% | 6.9% | 1.9 |
| Johnson County | 8.7% | 7.0% | 1.7 |
| Massac County | 7.3% | 6.1% | 1.2 |
| Perry County | 7.3% | 6.0% | 1.3 |
| Pulaski County | 9.2% | 7.3% | 1.9 |
| Randolph County | 5.2% | 4.5% | 0.7 |
| Union County | 7.7% | 6.6% | 1.1 |
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 8.3% | 5.6% | 2.7 |
| Hamilton County | 6.2% | 4.6% | 1.6 |
| Hardin County | 8.3% | 6.9% | 1.4 |
| Pope County | 7.0% | 5.3% | 1.7 |
| Saline County | 9.1% | 6.5% | 2.6 |
| White County | 7.1% | 5.0% | 2.1 |
| Olney - Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 6.3% | 5.6% | 0.7 |
| Lawrence County | 7.2% | 6.1% | 1.1 |
| Richland County | 6.9% | 5.3% | 1.6 |
| Wabash County | 6.3% | 4.9% | 1.4 |
| Wayne County | 8.7% | 6.7% | 2.0 |
Note:
- Monthly 2015 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2016, 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.