Unemployment Rate Drops in All Metro Areas for Fifth Consecutive Month

 Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

CHICAGO-Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in October in all of Illinois's metropolitan areas and in all 102 counties, 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 nonfarm jobs increased in eight of the metropolitan areas and decreased in six.

"It is encouraging that the unemployment rate is down statewide and Illinois gained 18,200 jobs over the past year," said IDES Director Jeff Mays. "However, six of the 14 metro areas did not add jobs, which is a clear sign of the need for more sustained job growth across all areas of the state."

Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metro areas, with the largest increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.1 percent, +1,200), Kankakee (+2.0 percent, +900), and Lake/Kenosha (+1.3 percent, +5,300). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.6 percent or +20,800). Illinois businesses lost jobs in six metro areas, with the largest losses in: Danville (-1.0 percent, -300), Springfield (-0.9 percent, -1,100), and Champaign (-0.5 percent, -600).

The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (9 of 14) and Education and Health Services (9 of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares October 2017 with October 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.7 percent in October 2017 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 October 2017 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.

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - October 2017

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

* Unemployment rates for cities with total population of 25,000 or more can be found atwww.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Pages/Current_Monthly_Unemployment_Rates.aspx

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.9 percent in October 2017 from 4.7 percent in October 2016. The last time the October rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.4 percent. For the month of October 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 17,600.

Total nonfarm employment increased +5,300 compared to October 2016. Professional-Business Services (+4,800), Manufacturing (+1,100), and Wholesale Trade (+1,000) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade (-2,300) sector recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.9 percent in October 2017 from 5.7 percent in October 2016. The last time the October rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.7 percent. For the month of October 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 183,900.

Total nonfarm employment increased +20,800 compared to October 2016. Financial Activities (+12,000), Educational-Health Services (+8,200), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+6,000) reported the largest payroll gains. The Retail Trade
(-6,600) and Leisure-Hospitality (-3,500) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.2 percent in October 2017 from 5.0 percent in October 2016. The last time the October rate was equal to or lower than the current rate was in 2007 when it was 4.1 percent. For the month of October 2017, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 13,400.

Total nonfarm employment decreased -700 compared to October 2016. Manufacturing (-1,700) and Professional-Business Services (-1,300) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. Government (+1,100), Leisure-Hospitality (+1,100), Financial Activities (+300), and Retail Trade (+300) reported the largest payroll gains.