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Announcement – Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jobs up in Most Metro Areas - Unemployment rate up as job growth continues
For Immediate Release - Contact: Sam Salustro Phone: 312-550-1582 
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5/23/19 – The number of nonfarm jobs increased in ten Illinois metropolitan areas, remained the same in one and decreased in three, 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 unemployment rates increased over-the-year in April in eleven Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in one, and was unchanged in two.
“Job growth remains strong in most areas of the state, which is encouraging more Illinoisans to enter the labor force,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “This administration is working to continue this growth by providing workers with the training they need and restoring fiscal responsibility in state government.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.6%, +1,500), Peoria (+2.0%, +3,400), Lake-Kenosha (+1.8%, +7,700), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+58,300 or +1.6%). The metro areas showing the largest over-the-year decrease in total nonfarm jobs were Bloomington (-1.1%, -1,000), Danville (-0.4%, -100) and the Illinois section of St. Louis (-0.3%, -800).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (11 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (11 of 14), Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Government (9 of 14) and Education and Health Services (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares April 2019 with April 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.0 percent in April 2019 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.3 percent in April 2019 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.