SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (January 30, 2020) — The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in December in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, according to preliminary data released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also shows the number of nonfarm jobs increased in ten Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in three, and was unchanged in one.
“Under Governor Pritzker’s leadership, we now have the lowest unemployment rate in state history with the most jobs on record,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “The governor is committed to building on this progress by attracting new businesses to Illinois, putting people to work on our infrastructure and creating opportunities for communities that have been left behind for too long.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Champaign (+3.4%, +3,800), Carbondale (+1.9%, +1,100), and Decatur (+1.3%, +700). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL (-1.3%, -2,500), Peoria (-1.1%, -2,000), and Rockford (-1.0%, -1,500).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Education and Health Services (10 of 14), Government (10 of 14), and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (8 of 14).
Not seasonally-adjusted data compares December 2019 with December 2018. The not seasonally-adjusted Illinois rate was 3.5 percent in December 2019 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally-adjusted unemployment-rate was 3.4 percent in December 2019 and 10.6 percent in January 2010, at its peak. The unemployment-rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) — November 2019
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates (percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IL-IA MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.5 percent in December 2019 from 4.7 percent in December 2018. The last time the December rate was equal to or lower was in 2017 when it was 4.2 percent.
Total nonfarm-employment decreased -2,500 compared to December 2018. The Construction (+700) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+200) sectors reported the largest payroll-gains. Professional-Business Services (-1,300), Leisure-Hospitality (-900), Manufacturing (-500), and Educational-Health Services (-500) sectors recorded the largest employment-declines compared to one year ago.
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 2018 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2019, as required by the US 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.
