Jobs up in Eight Metro Areas

Unemployment rate up in most metros

CHICAGO– The number of non-farm jobs increased in eight Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in six, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show unemployment rates increased over-the-year in March in twelve Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in one, and was unchanged in one.

“We continue to see solid job growth taking hold in most metro areas,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “As more people enter the labor market to work or seek employment, this administration is committed to giving Illinois workers the training they need for the jobs of today’s economy.”

Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+3.0%, +1,700), Kankakee (+1.8%, +800), Peoria (+1.6%, +2,800) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+0.8% or +29,500). The metro areas showing the largest over-the-year decrease in total nonfarm jobs were Bloomington (-1.7%, -1,600), Danville (-1.1%, -300) and Champaign-Urbana (-0.5%, -600).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (9 of 14), Professional and Business Services (9 of 14), and Government (8 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares March 2019 with March 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.5 percent in March 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 3.9 percent in March 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. 

Central Illinois Highlights

Help Wanted

Area employers advertised for 8,100 positions in March and approximately 75 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers actually need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.

 

Bloomington MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.9 percent in March 2019 from 4.2 per cent in March 2018. There were an estimated 4,650 unemployed people in the labor force in March 2019.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-1,600) compared to one year ago. Job gains were reported in Professional & Business Services (+300) and Government (+100). Declines were reported in Financial Activities (-700), Manufacturing (-500), Construction (-300), Retail Trade
(-300), Other Services (-100), and Information (-100). All other major industry sectors were little changed compared to a year ago.

Peoria MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.9 percent in March 2019 from 5.4 percent in March 2018. There were an estimated 10,700 unemployed people in the labor force in March 2019.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by
(+2,800) compared to one year ago. Job gains were reported in Professional & Business Services (+1,800), Educational & Health Services (+900), Manufacturing (+400), Wholesale Trade (+300), Government (+200), Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+200), and Other Services (+100). Declines were reported in Retail Trade (-1,000) and Financial Activities (-100). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.

Ottawa-Streator Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 7.1 percent in March 2019 from 5.9 percent in March 2018. There were an estimated 5,400 unemployed people in the labor force in March 2019. Over the year, nonfarm payrolls decreased by (-200) compared to a year ago. The largest gains occurred in Manufacturing (+50) and Other Services (+50). Declines were reported in Financial Activities (-150) and Professional & Business Services (-50). All other major industry sectors were stable compared to last year.

Galesburg Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.6 percent in March 2019 from 5.6 percent in March 2018. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-350). The largest gains occurred in Educational & Health Services (+125) and Manufacturing (+100). Declines were reported in Government (-150), while Information and Leisure & Hospitality each declined by (-75) from a year ago.

Pontiac Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.6 percent in March 2019 from 4.5 percent in March 2018. Nonfarm payroll employment decreased by
(-200). Job gains were reported in Manufacturing (+50) and Information declined by (-150) from a year ago.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area	March 2019	March 2018	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington	4.9%	4.2%	0.7
Carbondale-Marion	5.1%	4.9%	0.2
Champaign-Urbana	4.8%	4.2%	0.6
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights	3.6%	3.9%	-0.3
Danville	6.3%	6.3%	0.0
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	4.9%	4.5%	0.4
Decatur	6.3%	5.6%	0.7
Elgin	6.1%	5.2%	0.9
Kankakee	6.5%	5.8%	0.7
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	5.5%	4.9%	0.6
Peoria	5.9%	5.4%	0.5
Rockford	6.6%	5.5%	1.1
Springfield	5.1%	4.3%	0.8
St. Louis (IL-Section)	5.0%	4.5%	0.5
Illinois Statewide	4.5%	4.3%	0.2
* Data subject to revision.

Metropolitan Area	March 2019*	March 2018**	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA	91,700	93,300	-1,600
Carbondale-Marion MSA	59,100	57,400	1,700
Champaign-Urbana MSA	111,900	112,500	-600
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division	3,761,400	3,731,900	29,500
Danville MSA	27,500	27,800	-300
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA	185,100	183,800	1,300
Decatur MSA	51,100	51,300	-200
Elgin Metro Division	260,400	258,100	2,300
Kankakee MSA	46,000	45,200	800
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division	417,900	411,800	6,100
Peoria MSA	174,300	171,500	2,800
Rockford MSA	151,900	151,400	500
Springfield MSA	112,900	113,300	-400
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA	239,700	240,400	-700
Illinois Statewide	6,087,000	6,046,800	40,200

Note: Monthly 2018 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2019, as required by the U.S. 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.