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

East Central Illinois Highlights

Help Wanted

Area employers advertised for 4,800 positions in October and approximately 83 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 need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings. Many employment opportunities were offered in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in fall 2017. Numerous job openings were advertised in Education, Computer, Management, Food Service, and Health Care Support careers. Workers were also needed in Office and Administrative Support, Production, and Installation, Maintenance and Repair occupations. Many job openings existed in Social Services, Business-Financial and Engineering professions.

Champaign-Urbana MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 4.1 percent in October 2017 from 4.9 percent in October 2016. In October 2017, there were an estimated 4,900 unemployed in the labor force.

Non-farm employment decreased from its year-ago level by -600. Government (+400), Information (+200), Construction, (+100), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+100), Financial Activities (+100), Education-Health Services (+100), and Other Services (+100) recorded payroll gains. Leisure-Hospitality (-600), Wholesale Trade (-400), Retail Trade (-400), Professional-Business Services (-200), and Manufacturing (-100) recorded an employment loss from October 2016.

Danville MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 6.0 percent in October 2017 from 6.8 percent in October 2016. In October 2017, there were an estimated 2,000 unemployed in the labor force.

Non-farm employment decreased from its year-ago level by -300. Job gains were reported in Wholesale Trade (+100) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+100). Government (-200), Manufacturing (-100), Financial Activities (-100), and Education-Health Services (-100) recorded an employment loss since October 2016.