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Announcement – Thursday, October 24, 2019
Unemployment Rate Down in Twelve Metro Areas, Jobs Up in Thirteen - Record Low Unemployment Rate in 3 Metros, 34 Counties in September
Contact: Rebecca Cisco | Phone: 217-524-1219 | 
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10/24/19 - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in September in twelve Illinois metropolitan areas, increased in one, and was unchanged in one 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 thirteen Illinois metropolitan areas and decreased in one.
“The Pritzker administration remains dedicated to creating positive economic advances. The bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital bill is essential to making critical investments throughout the state that will create an economy that works for everyone,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes.
Illinois businesses added jobs in thirteen metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Carbondale-Marion (+2.7%, +1,600), Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI (+2.6%, +10,900) and Champaign-Urbana (+2.4%, +2,700). The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights metro position was up (+0.7% or +27,600). Total nonfarm jobs were down in the Peoria MSA (-0.8%, -1,500).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (11 of 14), Education and Health Services (10 of 14), Government (10 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (9 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (9 of 14) and Manufacturing (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares September 2019 with September 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 3.6 percent in September 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 September 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.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | Sep 2019* | Sep 2018** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 3.6% | 4.0% | -0.4 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 3.7% | 4.5% | -0.8 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 3.5% | 4.1% | -0.6 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.2% | 3.5% | -0.3 |
| Danville | 5.0% | 5.6% | -0.6 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 3.9% | 3.9% | 0.0 |
| Decatur | 4.9% | 5.1% | -0.2 |
| Elgin | 3.7% | 4.3% | -0.6 |
| Kankakee | 4.2% | 4.8% | -0.6 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 3.5% | 3.8% | -0.3 |
| Peoria | 4.3% | 4.6% | -0.3 |
| Rockford | 5.3% | 4.9% | 0.4 |
| Springfield | 3.5% | 4.0% | -0.5 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.8% | 4.3% | -0.5 |
| Illinois Statewide | 3.6% | 3.9% | -0.3 |
| *Preliminary **Revised | | | |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – September 2019
| Metropolitan Area | Sep 2019* |
Sep 2018** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 92,800 | 92,700 | 100 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 60,300 | 58,700 | 1,600 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 114,700 | 112,000 | 2,700 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,830,100 | 3,802,500 | 27,600 |
| Danville MSA | 27,700 | 27,600 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 186,900 | 186,700 | 200 |
| Decatur MSA | 53,000 | 52,000 | 1,000 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 269,200 | 265,600 | 3,600 |
| Kankakee MSA | 46,800 | 46,700 | 100 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 435,300 | 424,400 | 10,900 |
| Peoria MSA | 175,400 | 176,900 | -1,500 |
| Rockford MSA | 154,500 | 153,000 | 1,500 |
| Springfield MSA | 116,500 | 115,200 | 1,300 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 246,700 | 242,900 | 3,800 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,219,700 | 6,158,900 | 60,800 |
| *Preliminary **Revised |