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Announcement – Thursday, November 21, 2019
Unemployment Rate Down in All Fourteen Metro Areas, Jobs Up in Eleven - Record Lows in October for Two Metros, 16 Counties
Contact: Rebecca Cisco - 217.524.1219 | 
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11/21/19 - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in October in all fourteen 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 number of nonfarm jobs increased in eleven Illinois metropolitan areas, decreased in two, and was unchanged in one.
“Communities in every corner of the state have experienced sustained job growth throughout this year. By passing the bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital plan and legislation like the minimum wage increase, Governor Pritzker is ensuring the state’s economy continues to thrive,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.
Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Champaign-Urbana (+2.8%, +3,200), Carbondale-Marion (+2.5%, +1,500), Kankakee (+1.5%, +700) and Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI (+1.5%, +6,400). The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights metro was up (+0.6%, +22,500). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-0.8%, -1,500) and Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL (-0.1%, -100).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (9 of 14), Education and Health Services (9 of 14), Government (9 of 14), and Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares October 2019 with October 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 3.6 percent in October 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 October 2019 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 | Oct 2019* | Oct 2018** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 3.5% | 4.3% | -0.8 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 3.7% | 4.7% | -1.0 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 3.5% | 4.5% | -1.0 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.4% | 3.6% | -0.2 |
| Danville | 4.9% | 5.9% | -1.0 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.8% | 4.0% | -0.2 |
| Decatur | 4.8% | 5.5% | -0.7 |
| Elgin | 3.7% | 4.6% | -0.9 |
| Kankakee | 4.3% | 5.1% | -0.8 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 3.5% | 4.0% | -0.5 |
| Peoria | 4.2% | 4.9% | -0.7 |
| Rockford | 5.0% | 5.4% | -0.4 |
| Springfield | 3.5% | 4.2% | -0.7 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.7% | 4.6% | -0.9 |
| Illinois Statewide | 3.6% | 4.1% | -0.5 |
| * Preliminary | **Revised | | |
|
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – October 2019
| Metropolitan Area | Oct 2019* |
Oct 2018** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 94,000 | 93,600 | 400 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 61,100 | 59,600 | 1,500 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 116,100 | 112,900 | 3,200 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,850,300 | 3,827,800 | 22,500 |
| Danville MSA | 27,800 | 27,800 | 0 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 188,300 | 188,400 | -100 |
| Decatur MSA | 52,900 | 52,300 | 600 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 270,400 | 267,400 | 3,000 |
| Kankakee MSA | 47,500 | 46,800 | 700 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 435,500 | 429,100 | 6,400 |
| Peoria MSA | 176,300 | 177,800 | -1,500 |
| Rockford MSA | 155,500 | 154,400 | 1,100 |
| Springfield MSA | 116,600 | 115,200 | 1,400 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 246,000 | 244,000 | 2,000 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,251,900 | 6,197,800 | 54,100 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |