SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS (October 24, 2019) — The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in September in twelve Illinois metropolitan areas, increased in one, and was unchanged in one 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 non-farm jobs increased in thirteen Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in one.
“The Pritzker administration remains dedicated to creating positive economic advances. The bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital bill is essential to making critical investments throughout the state that will create an economy that works for everyone,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.
Illinois businesses added jobs in thirteen metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.7%, +1,600), Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI (+2.6%, +10,900), and Champaign-Urbana (+2.4%, +2,700). The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights metro division was up (+0.7% or +27,600). Total nonfarm jobs were down in the Peoria MSA (-0.8%, -1,500).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (11 of 14), Education and Health Services (10 of 14), Government (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (9 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (9 of 14), and Manufacturing (8 of 14).
Not-seasonally-adjusted data compares September 2019 with September 2018. The not-seasonally-adjusted Illinois rate was 3.6 percent in September 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 3.3 percent in September 2019 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.
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IL-IA MSA
The not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 3.9 percent in September 2019, unchanged from September 2018.
Total nonfarm employment increased +200 compared to September 2018. The Construction (+1,200), Manufacturing (+500), Professional-Business Services (+400), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+400) sectors reported the largest payroll-gains. The Educational-Health Services (-1,600) and Retail Trade (-700) 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.
Link: https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/20744-IDES_September_Unemployment_Rate_-_Region_4.pdf
