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Announcement – Thursday, August 27, 2020
Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down in All Fourteen Metro Areas in July
Contact: Sam Salustro | 312.550.1582 | Rebecca Cisco | 217.524.1219
PDF Version8/27/20 - SPRINGFIELD –The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in July in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, with five metro areas at record low payrolls, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas and to record highs for the month of July in four metros. The official, BLS-approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.
“As the state continues to monitor the safety of economic reopening, IDES is committed to continuing to help those who need services,” said IDES Acting Director Kristin Richards. “With the support of the Pritzker administration, the Department is prepared to support working families who continue to be affected by this pandemic.”
The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-12.0%, -20,700), Decatur (-11.2%, -5,700) and Elgin (-10.8%, -28,200). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down -8.1% (-311,900). No industry sector saw job gains in a majority of metro areas.
Not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2020 with July 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 11.3 percent in July 2020, was the highest unemployment rate the month of July since 1983, when it was 11.5 percent. The official, BLS approved, statewide unemployment rate series begins in 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 10.5 percent in July 2020, was a record high for the month of July, dating back to 1948. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | July 2020* | July 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 8.0% | 4.1% | 3.9 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 9.2% | 4.3% | 4.9 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 7.9% | 4.2% | 3.7 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 12.6% | 4.1% | 8.5 |
| Danville | 9.9% | 5.4% | 4.5 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 9.1% | 3.9% | 5.2 |
| Decatur | 12.0% | 5.6% | 6.4 |
| Elgin | 10.3% | 4.3% | 6.0 |
| Kankakee | 9.5% | 4.7% | 4.8 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 8.9% | 3.9% | 5.0 |
| Peoria | 10.6% | 4.6% | 6.0 |
| Rockford | 13.8% | 6.7% | 7.1 |
| Springfield | 9.1% | 4.0% | 5.1 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 9.4% | 4.3% | 5.1 |
| Illinois Statewide | 11.3% | 4.2% | 7.1 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised | |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – July 2020
| Metropolitan Area | July | July | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 83,400 | 90,000 | -6,600 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 53,700 | 56,700 | -3,000 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 104,300 | 108,700 | -4,400 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,518,500 | 3,830,400 | -311,900 |
| Danville MSA | 25,400 | 27,300 | -1,900 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 172,300 | 189,200 | -16,900 |
| Decatur MSA | 45,000 | 50,700 | -5,700 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 233,300 | 261,500 | -28,200 |
| Kankakee MSA | 43,800 | 45,900 | -2,100 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 387,800 | 428,400 | -40,600 |
| Peoria MSA | 151,200 | 171,900 | -20,700 |
| Rockford MSA | 137,900 | 150,000 | -12,100 |
| Springfield MSA | 102,900 | 109,900 | -7,000 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 224,300 | 238,400 | -14,100 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5,637,300 | 6,134,900 | -497,600 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |