Unemployment Rates Down in All 14 Metro Areas Jobs Up in Most Areas in January

Contact: Rebecca Cisco | 217.524.1219
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The unemployment rate decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in January according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in all metro areas except one.

“Metro areas throughout the state continue to experience consistent job growth across industry sectors,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “As new jobs are added statewide and across industries, jobseekers and employers are encouraged to take advantage of the services and resources IDES offers in connecting workers and employers.”

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Peoria MSA (4.2%, +6,900), the Springfield MSA (+3.6%, +3,800) and theRockford MSA (+3.5%, +4,900). Total nonfarm jobs in theChicago Metropolitan Division were up +2.7% or +99,300.Total nonfarm jobs were down slightly in the Illinois section ofthe St. Louis MSA (-0.3%, -800). Industries that saw job growthin a majority of metro areas included: Leisure and Hospitality(fourteen areas); Mining and Construction and Education andHealth Services (thirteen areas each); Other Services (twelveareas); Manufacturing, Wholesale Trade and Transportation,Warehousing and Utilities (eleven areas each); and Government (nine areas).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were in the Rockford MSA (-2.5 points to 5.8%), the Decatur MSA (-1.6 points to 5.4%), and the Carbondale-Marion MSA (-1.1 points to 4.3%). The Chicago Metropolitan Division unemployment rate decreased -0.5 point to 4.7%. The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in 98 counties, increased in 3 and was unchanged in 1.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates - See PDF -

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – January 2023 - See PDF -