Jobs Up in Majority of Metro Areas in April

Contact: Rebeca Cisco  |  217-524-1219  |  PDF Version

SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in ten metropolitan areas and decreased in four for the year ending April 2024, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES).  Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in thirteen metropolitan areas, and decreased in one.

“Continued job growth across metro areas and industry sectors position both jobseekers and employers to tap into newly created and expanded opportunities to begin or further career growth, said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.  “IDES is proud to collaborate with its workforce partners to provide critical employment and reemployment services, including matching workers with hiring employers across the state.”

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+2.4%, +3,000) and the Elgin Metro (+2.1%, +5,600).  In the Chicago Metro, total nonfarm jobs were up +0.2% or +7,600.  The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Springfield MSA (-2.8%, -3,100), and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.1%, -2,100).  Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Government (fourteen areas); Private Education and Health Services (eleven areas); Wholesale Trade (ten areas); and Manufacturing, Leisure and Hospitality, and Other Services (eight areas each).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago Metro (+0.9 point to 4.3%), the Elgin Metro (+0.6 point to 5.2%), the Bloomington MSA (+0.5 point to 3.8%), and the Springfield MSA (+0.5 point to 4.1%).  The unemployment rate decreased in the Rockford MSA (-0.4 point to 5.9%).

Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - See PDF

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - April 2024  - See PDF

About the Department of Employment Security

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides vital employment services to Illinois workers, jobseekers, and employers with resources including Job Fairs, IllinoisJobLink.com, and WorkShare IL, analyzes and disseminates actionable Labor Market Information, and administers the Unemployment Insurance Program.  To see the full range of services provided by IDES, and for the latest news concerning the department, visit IDES.Illinois.gov.