Unemployment Rates Down and Jobs Up in All 14 Metro Areas

Contact: Rebecca Cisco | 217.524.1219
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For the fourth straight month, the unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in September according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs increased in all metros.

“Illinois continues to see steady job growth throughout the state,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.  “As unemployment insurance claims remain at record lows, the state labor market is ripe with opportunity for every type of jobseeker.”

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Chicago Metro (+4.7%, +169,900), the Rockford MSA (+4.4%, +6,100), the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (+3.9%, +7,000) and the Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metropolitan Division (+3.9% +16,000). Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Mining and Construction and Manufacturing (fourteen areas each); Leisure and Hospitality (thirteen areas); Other Services (twelve areas); Wholesale Trade (eleven areas); Professional and Business Services,  Education and Health Services, and Government (ten areas each); and Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (eight areas).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Rockford MSA (-1.8 points to 5.9%) and the Decatur MSA (-1.3 points to 5.7%). The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in 92 counties, increased in 5, and was unchanged in 5. 

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates - see PDF-

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – September 2022 -see PDF-