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Announcement – Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down in All Metro Areas Across the State
Contact: Rebecca Cisco | 217.524.1219
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12/23/20 - The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in November, 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. 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.
“IDES and the Pritzker administration are committed to serving the needs of workers, claimants, and families impacted by the continued pandemic,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “With the passing of the new federal Covid-19 relief legislation, IDES will work as quickly as possible to implement the extensions and creation of unemployment programs included in the new stimulus if and when it is signed. The Department remains dedicated to serving claimants who desperately need the services of IDES, particularly during this difficult holiday season.”
The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-9.6%, -16,300), Elgin (-9.3%, -24,500), and Rockford (-8.1%, -12,200). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down 7.1% (-274,100). Three metro areas recorded a new record low number of nonfarm jobs for November (dating back to 1990) and one tied a record low.
Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2020 with November 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.5 percent in November 2020. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.4 percent in November 2020.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | November 2020* | November 2019** | Over-the-Year |
| Bloomington | 4.6% | 3.2% | 1.4 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 5.1% | 3.5% | 1.6 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.5% | 3.2% | 1.3 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 7.3% | 3.0% | 4.3 |
| Danville | 6.1% | 4.7% | 1.4 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.8% | 4.0% | 0.8 |
| Decatur | 7.7% | 4.8% | 2.9 |
| Elgin | 6.0% | 3.7% | 2.3 |
| Kankakee | 6.0% | 4.8% | 1.2 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 5.5% | 3.5% | 2.0 |
| Peoria | 6.2% | 4.2% | 2.0 |
| Rockford | 7.1% | 5.3% | 1.8 |
| Springfield | 5.8% | 3.5% | 2.3 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.0% | 3.5% | 1.5 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6.5% | 3.4% | 3.1 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised | |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) –November 2020
| Metropolitan Area | November | November | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 88,300 | 94,200 | -5,900 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 57,300 | 59,200 | -1,900 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 114,800 | 119,600 | -4,800 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,561,100 | 3,835,200 | -274,100 |
| Danville MSA | 26,600 | 27,600 | -1,000 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 177,300 | 188,000 | -10,700 |
| Decatur MSA | 46,800 | 50,500 | -3,700 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 238,700 | 263,200 | -24,500 |
| Kankakee MSA | 44,500 | 46,800 | -2,300 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 392,500 | 420,500 | -28,000 |
| Peoria MSA | 153,800 | 170,100 | -16,300 |
| Rockford MSA | 137,700 | 149,900 | -12,200 |
| Springfield MSA | 104,100 | 110,000 | -5,900 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 234,500 | 244,200 | -9,700 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5,752,300 | 6,169,300 | -417,000 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised | | |