Skip to main content

Press Releases

No Data

Jobs Up, Unemployment Rates Down in All 14 Metro Areas

Press Release - Thursday, September 22, 2022

SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in August according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs increased in all metros.

"Economic recovery, jobs growth, and consistent historically low unemployment claims data continues to signal a strong labor market throughout the state," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "Whether you're returning to the workforce or looking to switch career fields, the State of Illinois offers a suite of workforce development and job and training resources to those who are looking for it."

The metro areas with the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Rockford MSA (+5.2%, +7,200), the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights MSA (+4.8%, +172,600), and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (+4.2%, +7,500). Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Mining and Construction and Leisure and Hospitality (fourteen areas each); Manufacturing (thirteen areas); Professional and Business Services and Education and Health Services (eleven areas each); Government (ten areas); Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, and Other Services (nine areas each).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-1.6 points to 5.0%), the Carbondale-Marion MSA (-1.3 points to 4.5%), and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.3 points to 3.8%). The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in 97 counties, increased in 2, and was unchanged in 3.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area

August 2022*

August 2021**

Over-the-Year Change

Bloomington

3.9%

4.8%

-0.9

Carbondale-Marion

4.5%

5.8%

-1.3

Champaign-Urbana

4.3%

5.3%

-1.0

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights

5.0%

6.6%

-1.6

Danville

5.7%

6.8%

-1.1

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL

3.8%

5.1%

-1.3

Decatur

6.5%

7.7%

-1.2

Elgin

4.7%

5.6%

-0.9

Kankakee

5.9%

6.5%

-0.6

Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI

4.0%

4.9%

-0.9

Peoria

4.9%

5.9%

-1.0

Rockford

6.8%

7.8%

-1.0

Springfield

4.3%

5.4%

-1.1

St. Louis (IL-Section)

4.3%

5.4%

-1.1

Illinois Statewide

4.8%

6.1%

-1.3

* Preliminary  I  ** Revised

 

 

 
















Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2022

Metropolitan Area

August

August

Over-the-Year

 

2022*

2021**

Change

Bloomington MSA

93,700

90,200

3,500

Carbondale-Marion MSA

56,600

54,500

2,100

Champaign-Urbana MSA

109,800

107,200

2,600

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division

3,805,500

3,632,900

172,600

Danville MSA

26,300

25,600

700

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

186,600

179,100

7,500

Decatur MSA

48,700

48,100

600

Elgin Metro Division

253,300

245,400

7,900

Kankakee MSA

42,700

41,900

800

Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division

427,100

412,600

14,500

Peoria MSA

169,300

165,600

3,700

Rockford MSA

146,800

139,600

7,200

Springfield MSA

110,100

106,500

3,600

Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA

237,000

236,400

600

Illinois Statewide

6,078,300

5,845,200

233,100

*Preliminary | **Revised

 

 

 


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

Labor Market Area

Aug 2022

Aug 2021

Over the Year Change

 
 

Carbondale-Marion MSA

4.5 %

5.8 %

-1.3

 

Jackson County

4.6 %

5.7 %

-1.1

 

Williamson County

4.5 %

5.8 %

-1.3

 

Surrounding Counties

 

 

 

 

Alexander County

8.1 %

8.4 %

-0.3

 

Franklin County

5.9 %

7.0 %

-1.1

 

Johnson County

5.8 %

5.9 %

-0.1

 

Massac County

5.3 %

5.9 %

-0.6

 

Perry County

5.1 %

5.8 %

-0.7

 

Pulaski County

8.4 %

9.4 %

-1.0

 

Randolph County

3.6 %

4.7 %

-1.1

 

Union County

4.9 %

5.9 %

-1.0

 

Harrisburg Area

 

 

 

 

Gallatin County

6.0 %

6.5 %

-0.5

 

Hamilton County

3.7 %

4.6 %

-0.9

 

Hardin County

6.5 %

6.9 %

-0.4

 

Pope County

5.5 %

5.4 %

0.1

 

Saline County

6.0 %

7.0 %

-1.0

 

White County

4.4 %

5.0 %

-0.6

 

Olney - Mt. Carmel Area

 

 

 

 

Edwards County

4.5 %

5.4 %

-0.9

 

Lawrence County

5.5 %

6.0 %

-0.5

 

Richland County

4.1 %

4.4 %

-0.3

 

Wabash County

3.7 %

4.5 %

-0.8

 

Wayne County

4.1 %

5.1 %

-1.0

 

Other Areas

 

 

 

 

LWIA 23

4.2 %

4.9 %

-0.7

 

LWIA 24

4.4 %

5.5 %

-1.1

 

LWIA 25

5.0 %

6.1 %

-1.1

 

LWIA 26

5.1 %

5.8 %

-0.7

 

Southern EDR

5.0 %

6.0 %

-1.0

 

Southern Illinois Highlights

Carbondale - Marion Area

The August 2022 unemployment rate was 4.5 percent. This was a decrease of -1.3 percentage points from the August 2021 rate of 5.8 percent. Total nonfarm employment in August 2022 increased by +2,100 compared to last August.

Employment increased in Government (+200).

Surrounding Counties

Total nonfarm employment increased by +750 compared to August 2021.

Employment gains were posted in Leisure and Hospitality (+275), Government (+275), Educational and Health Services (+200), Other Services (+50), Construction (+50), Information (+25), Financial Activities (+25), and Manufacturing (+25).

August payrolls declined in Professional and Business Services (-100), and Natural Resources and Mining (-50). No change was reported in Trade, Transportation, and Utilities.

Harrisburg Area

Total nonfarm employment increased by +200 compared to August 2021.

Employment gains were posted in Government (+125), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+75), Educational and Health Services (+50), Information (+50), Financial Activities (+25), Natural Resources and Mining (+25) and Other Services (+25).

Manufacturing payrolls were unchanged. Employment declined in Construction (-100), Professional and Business Services (-25), and Leisure and Hospitality (-25).

Olney - Mt. Carmel Area

Total nonfarm employment increased by +250 compared to August 2021.

Employment gains were posted in Government (+125), Leisure and Hospitality (+75), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+50), Educational and Health Services (+50), Other Services (+50), Natural Resources and Mining (+25), and Financial Activities (+25).

No changes were reported in Information or Professional and Business Services.

Payrolls decreased in Manufacturing (-75) and Construction (-25).


Note: Monthly 2021 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2022, 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.



Press Releases

No Data