Press Release - Thursday, April 23, 2020
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Payroll Jobs Down in Twelve Metro Areas as Impact of COVID-19 Begins
SPRINGFIELD -The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in March in twelve Illinois metropolitan areas 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 unemployment rate temporarily decreased over the year due to the shrinking of the labor force as businesses began to close and workers transitioned due to COVID-19. The unemployment rate and labor force fell in thirteen metropolitan areas.
"From day one, this administration has pursued policies that support our working families and help lift up every Illinoisan," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "Keeping our communities safe during the COVID-19 outbreak remains a top priority and we will continue to champion worker protections, expand access to our benefits systems, and support small businesses navigating this challenging time."
Data shows the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in twelve Illinois metropolitan areas and increased in two. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Rockford (-4.0%, -6,000), Peoria (-2.5%, -4,300), and Lake-Kenosha (-1.7%, -7,200). Jobs were also down in Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (-0.2%, -8,800). Illinois businesses added jobs in Kankakee (+2.0%, +900) and Champaign-Urbana (+1.3%, +1,500). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Education and Health Services (10 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares March 2020 with March 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.4 percent in March 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 4.5 percent in March 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 | March 2020* | March 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 2.8% | 4.4% | -1.6 |
Carbondale-Marion | 3.2% | 4.6% | -1.4 |
Champaign-Urbana | 2.6% | 4.3% | -1.7 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 5.0% | 3.9% | 1.1 |
Danville | 3.8% | 5.7% | -1.9 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.2% | 4.8% | -0.6 |
Decatur | 4.4% | 5.8% | -1.4 |
Elgin | 3.8% | 5.5% | -1.7 |
Kankakee | 4.2% | 6.0% | -1.8 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 3.7% | 5.2% | -1.5 |
Peoria | 3.9% | 5.5% | -1.6 |
Rockford | 4.6% | 6.0% | -1.4 |
Springfield | 3.1% | 4.7% | -1.6 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.0% | 4.6% | -1.6 |
Illinois Statewide | 4.4% | 4.4% | 0.0 |
* Preliminary I ** Revised |
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Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - March 2020
Metropolitan Area | March | March | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change |
Bloomington MSA | 91,700 | 92,200 | -500 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 57,700 | 58,600 | -900 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 116,600 | 115,100 | 1,500 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,733,500 | 3,742,300 | -8,800 |
Danville MSA | 26,800 | 27,200 | -400 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 184,200 | 185,000 | -800 |
Decatur MSA | 49,400 | 50,200 | -800 |
Elgin Metro Division | 256,800 | 258,400 | -1,600 |
Kankakee MSA | 46,100 | 45,200 | 900 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 406,500 | 413,700 | -7,200 |
Peoria MSA | 165,000 | 169,300 | -4,300 |
Rockford MSA | 144,200 | 150,200 | -6,000 |
Springfield MSA | 108,100 | 109,400 | -1,300 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 237,900 | 238,600 | -700 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,008,900 | 6,048,700 | -39,800 |
*Preliminary | **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Mar 2020 | Mar 2019 | Over the Year Change | |
Rockford MSA |
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Boone County | 5.0 % | 6.5 % | -1.5 | |
Winnebago County | 4.5 % | 5.9 % | -1.4 | |
Cities |
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Belvidere City | 6.2 % | 7.7 % | -1.5 | |
Freeport City | 3.9 % | 5.5 % | -1.6 | |
Rockford City | 5.4 % | 6.8 % | -1.4 | |
Counties |
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Bureau County | 4.1 % | 5.7 % | -1.6 | |
Carroll County | 3.6 % | 5.3 % | -1.7 | |
DeKalb County | 3.4 % | 4.8 % | -1.4 | |
Henry County | 4.0 % | 5.7 % | -1.7 | |
Jo Daviess County | 4.3 % | 5.6 % | -1.3 | |
Kane County | 3.9 % | 5.7 % | -1.8 | |
Lee County | 3.0 % | 4.8 % | -1.8 | |
McHenry County | 4.9 % | 3.8 % | 1.1 | |
Ogle County | 4.0 % | 5.9 % | -1.9 | |
Stephenson County | 3.6 % | 5.1 % | -1.5 | |
Whiteside County | 3.4 % | 4.7 % | -1.3 |
Rockford MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.6 percent in March 2020 from 6.0 percent in March 2019. The last time the March rate was equal to or lower was in 2000 when it was 4.6 percent.
Total nonfarm employment decreased -6,000 compared to March 2019. The Educational-Health Services (+500) sector recorded the largest payroll gains compared to one year ago.
Manufacturing (-2,200), Professional-Business Services (-1,700), and Leisure-Hospitality (-1,300) recorded the largest employment the declines over-the-year.
Ogle County
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.0 percent in March 2020 from 5.9 percent in March 2019. The last time the March rate was equal to or lower was in 1999 when it was 3.6 percent.
Total nonfarm employment decreased -350 over the year. The Professional-Business Services (+175) sector added the most jobs over the year. The Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-225), Manufacturing (-125), Financial Activities (-125), and Government (-125) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Stephenson County
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 3.6 percent in March 2020 from 5.1 percent in March 2019. The March 2020 unemployment rate is the lowest March unemployment rate on record.
Nonfarm payroll employment remained unchanged over the year at 17,250. Construction (+100) added the most jobs from March 2019. The Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-150), Manufacturing (-50), and Educational-Health Services (-50) sectors recorded an employment declines compared to one year ago.
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.
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