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Announcement – Thursday, July 24, 2025
Unemployment Down in All 12 Metro Areas for June, St. Louis Metro Reaches Record Low
Chicago Metro Achieves 12 Consecutive Months of Year-over-Year Job Growth, Continued Gains in Champaign, Springfield
Contact: Rebeca Cisco | 217-524-1219 | PDF Version
SPRINGFIELD – The unemployment rate decreased in all twelve metro areas for the year ending June 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). The St. Louis metro area unemployment rate reached a record low at 3.5% for June. Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in five metropolitan areas, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth: Champaign (5 consecutive months); Chicago (12 consecutive months); Springfield (20 consecutive months).
“Declines in unemployment across all metro areas, paired with sustained job growth in key regions, highlight Illinois’ resilient economy and the importance of ongoing investments in workforce developments,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “Illinois is dedicated to building an economy that delivers meaningful opportunities and prosperity to communities statewide.”
The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.1%, +1,300), the Chicago Metro Division (+0.7%, +28,400), and the Rockford MSA (+0.5%, +700). The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA, IL Section (-1.5%, -1,300), the Bloomington MSA (-1.3%, -1,200), and the Kankakee MSA (-0.9%, -400). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (eleven areas); Government (nine areas), Mining and Construction (eight areas), and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (seven areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Kankakee MSA (-1.4 points to 4.4%), the Lake County Metropolitan Division (-1.3 points to 3.6%), and the St. Louis MSA, IL Section (-1.3 points to 3.5%). The Chicago Metro Division reported a decrease of -1.2 points to 5.0%.
Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - See PDF
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - June 2025 - 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.