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Announcement – Thursday, October 22, 2020
Unemployment Rates Up, Jobs Down in All Fourteen Metro Areas in September Compared to Same Time Last Year
Contact:
Sam Salustro | 312.550.1582 | Rebecca Cisco | 217.524.1219
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10/22/20 - The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in September, with four metro areas at record low payrolls for that month, 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 posted a record high for the month of September in one metro area. 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 Illinois continues to make necessary adjustments and work through the COVID-19 mitigation plan, the Pritzker administration remains committed to providing unemployment benefits as a means of economic relief to claimants who are still in need of the Department’s services,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “We take our role in this pandemic seriously, and will continue to work with IDES to support working families and provide employment training and services to those who seek it.”
The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-10.5%, -17,900), Elgin (-8.8%, -23,200) and Lake-Kenosha (-7.6%, -32,000). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down 7.2% (-274,200). No industry sector saw job gains in a majority of metro areas.
Not seasonally adjusted data compares September 2020 with September 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 9.8 percent in September 2020 and the highest September unemployment rate since 2011, when it was also 9.8 percent. The official, BLS approved, statewide unemployment rate series begins in 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in September 2020 and the highest September unemployment rate since 2011, when it was 8.8 percent. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | September 2020* | September 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 6.3% | 3.5% | 2.8 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 7.3% | 3.6% | 3.7 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 6.0% | 3.3% | 2.7 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 11.3% | 3.2% | 8.1 |
| Danville | 8.4% | 4.7% | 3.7 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.2 |
| Decatur | 10.1% | 4.9% | 5.2 |
| Elgin | 8.3% | 3.6% | 4.7 |
| Kankakee | 8.1% | 4.1% | 4.0 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 7.2% | 3.4% | 3.8 |
| Peoria | 8.5% | 4.2% | 4.3 |
| Rockford | 10.0% | 5.2% | 4.8 |
| Springfield | 7.7% | 3.5% | 4.2 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 7.7% | 3.7% | 4.0 |
| Illinois Statewide | 9.8% | 3.5% | 6.3 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised | |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – September 2020
| Metropolitan Area | September | September | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 87,900 | 93,000 | -5,100 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 55,500 | 58,500 | -3,000 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 113,300 | 116,200 | -2,900 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,541,600 |
3,815,800 | -274,200 |
| Danville MSA | 26,100 | 27,400 | -1,300 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 174,600 | 187,900 | -13,300 |
| Decatur MSA | 46,800 | 50,500 | -3,700 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 239,400 | 262,600 | -23,200 |
| Kankakee MSA | 44,600 | 46,400 | -1,800 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 391,200 | 423,200 | -32,000 |
| Peoria MSA | 153,300 | 171,200 | -17,900 |
| Rockford MSA | 138,800 | 150,000 | -11,200 |
| Springfield MSA | 103,700 | 109,700 | -6,000 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 233,300 | 243,700 | -10,400 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5,731,800 | 6,149,100 | -417,300 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |