The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in January in thirteen Illinois metropolitan areas and increased in one, 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 shows the number of nonfarm jobs increased in four Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in ten.
“This administration has spent the past year strengthening our state’s economy by raising workers’ wages, investing in our schools, and securing a much-needed bipartisan capital plan,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “As we enter this period of uncertainty, we remain committed to supporting working families.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in four metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in Champaign-Urbana (+1.9%, +2,000), Kankakee (+1.3%, +600) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+1.0%, +36,400). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Rockford (-4.2%, -6,300), Peoria (-1.9%, -3,200) and Lake-Kenosha (-1.6%, -6,500). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Education and Health Services (9 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares January 2020 with January 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.0 percent in January 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 4.0 percent in January 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
| Metropolitan Area |
January 2020* |
January 2019** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington |
3.4% |
5.2% |
-1.8 |
| Carbondale-Marion |
3.9% |
5.6% |
-1.7 |
| Champaign-Urbana |
3.4% |
5.2% |
-1.8 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights |
3.6% |
4.7% |
-1.1 |
| Danville |
4.9% |
6.6% |
-1.7 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL |
4.7% |
5.4% |
-0.7 |
| Decatur |
5.1% |
6.7% |
-1.6 |
| Elgin |
4.7% |
6.3% |
-1.6 |
| Kankakee |
5.4% |
7.1% |
-1.7 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI |
4.4% |
5.6% |
-1.2 |
| Peoria |
5.0% |
6.5% |
-1.5 |
| Rockford |
8.0% |
6.8% |
1.2 |
| Springfield |
3.8% |
5.5% |
-1.7 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) |
3.8% |
5.5% |
-1.7 |
| Illinois Statewide |
4.0% |
5.3% |
-1.3 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised | |||
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – January 2020
| Metropolitan Area |
January |
January |
Over-the-Year |
|
2020* |
2019** |
Change |
|
| Bloomington MSA |
90,200 |
90,900 |
-700 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA |
56,200 |
56,500 |
-300 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA |
109,900 |
107,900 |
2,000 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division |
3,750,300 |
3,713,900 |
36,400 |
| Danville MSA |
26,800 |
27,000 |
-200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA |
183,300 |
183,900 |
-600 |
| Decatur MSA |
49,300 |
50,000 |
-700 |
| Elgin Metro Division |
256,100 |
256,600 |
-500 |
| Kankakee MSA |
45,600 |
45,000 |
600 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division |
405,200 |
411,700 |
-6,500 |
| Peoria MSA |
165,000 |
168,200 |
-3,200 |
| Rockford MSA |
144,200 |
150,500 |
-6,300 |
| Springfield MSA |
106,900 |
108,000 |
-1,100 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA |
235,700 |
235,200 |
500 |
| Illinois Statewide |
6,000,500 |
5,991,400 |
9,100 |
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
|
Labor Market Area |
Jan 2020 |
Jan 2019 |
Over the Year Change |
|
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division | ||||
| Cook County |
3.6 % |
4.8 % |
-1.2 |
|
| DuPage County |
2.8 % |
3.7 % |
-0.9 |
|
| Grundy County |
5.1 % |
6.6 % |
-1.5 |
|
| Kendall County |
3.5 % |
4.4 % |
-0.9 |
|
| McHenry County |
3.6 % |
4.6 % |
-1.0 |
|
| Will County |
4.0 % |
5.1 % |
-1.1 |
|
| Elgin, IL Metro Division | ||||
| DeKalb County |
4.5 % |
5.5 % |
-1.0 |
|
| Kane County |
4.7 % |
6.4 % |
-1.7 |
|
| Lake & Kenosha, IL-WI Metro Division | ||||
| Lake County (IL) |
4.4 % |
6.0 % |
-1.6 |
|
| Kankakee, IL MSA | ||||
| Kankakee County |
5.4 % |
7.1 % |
-1.7 |
|
| Cities | ||||
| Aurora City |
4.1 % |
5.6 % |
-1.5 |
|
| Chicago City |
3.7 % |
4.9 % |
-1.2 |
|
| Elgin City |
6.4 % |
8.0 % |
-1.6 |
|
| Joliet City |
5.3 % |
6.4 % |
-1.1 |
|
| Kankakee City |
7.7 % |
9.7 % |
-2.0 |
|
| Naperville City |
2.3 % |
3.2 % |
-0.9 |
|
* Unemployment rates for cities with total population of 25,000 or more can be found at https://www2.illinois.gov/
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.6 percent in January 2020 from 4.7 percent in January 2019. The January 2020 unemployment rate is the lowest January unemployment rate on record.
Total nonfarm employment increased +36,400 compared to January 2019. Educational-Health Services (+18,800), Leisure-Hospitality (+7,400), and Financial Activities (+7,100) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Manufacturing (-6,800), and Retail Trade (-4,100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Elgin, IL Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.7 percent in January 2020 from 6.3 percent in January 2019. The last time the January rate was equal to or lower was in 2000 when it was 4.4 percent.
Total nonfarm employment decreased -500 compared to January 2019. The Professional-Business Services (+1,500), Government (+800), and Transportation-Warehousing-
Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.4 percent in January 2020 from 5.6 percent in January 2019. The last time the January rate was equal to or lower was in 2000 when it was 4.1 percent.
Total nonfarm employment decreased -6,500 compared to January 2019. The Educational-Health Services (+800) sector reported the largest payroll gains. Professional-Business Services (-3,500), Retail Trade (-1,400), and Manufacturing (-1,100) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Kankakee, IL MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.4 percent in January 2020 from 7.1 percent in January 2019. The last time the January rate was equal to or lower was in 2000 when it was 5.2 percent.
Total nonfarm employment increased +600 compared to January 2019. Educational-Health Services (+400), Retail Trade (+300), and Manufacturing (+200) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Transportation-Warehousing-
Note: Monthly 2019 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2020, 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.
