SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (April 3, 2020) — While the unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in February in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas and all 102 counties, according to preliminary data released today by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the department continues to receive an unprecedented number of unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19.
“This administration is fully committed to the health and safety of our workforce and ensuring our workers can provide for their families in this challenging time,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “As we navigate this period of economic uncertainty, we will continue to champion policies that will lift up every Illinoisan while making investments that will help to strengthen our economy.”
Data also shows the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in nine Illinois metropolitan areas and increased in five. Illinois businesses added jobs in five metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in Kankakee (+2.2%, +1,000), Champaign-Urbana (+1.8%, +2,100) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+1.0%, +37,500). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Rockford (-3.5%, -5,200), Peoria (-1.8%, -3,000) and Lake-Kenosha (-1.2%, -5,100). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Education and Health Services (11 of 14).
Not-seasonally-adjusted data compares February 2020 with February 2019. The not-seasonally-adjusted Illinois rate was 3.5 percent in February 2020 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in February 2020 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) — February 2020
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 4.0 percent in February 2020 from 4.8 percent in February 2019. The last time the February rate was equal to or lower was in 1998 when it was 4.0 percent.
Total nonfarm employment decreased -600 compared to February 2019.
The Educational-Health Services (+1,400), Construction (+200), Wholesale Trade (+100), Financial Activities (+100), and Leisure-Hospitality (+100) sectors reported the payroll gains.
Professional-Business Services (-1,300) and Manufacturing (-1,200) 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.
