Unemployment Down, Jobs Up in Majority of Metro Areas in February

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

SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in eleven metro areas and increased in one for the year ending February 2025, 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, total nonfarm jobs increased in seven metropolitan areas and decreased in five.

"Today’s data report continues to underscore the strength of Illinois’ labor market with unemployment dropping and increases in jobs across most metro areas over the year,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.  "Illinois remains laser-focused on encouraging business development and expanding economic opportunities throughout the state."

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Elgin Metropolitan Division (+2.3%, +6,600), the Rockford MSA (+1.2%, +1,700), the Kankakee MSA (+0.9%, +400) and the Peoria MSA (+0.9%, +1,600).  Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division were up +18,600 (+0.5%).  The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (-2.2%, -2,100), the Decatur MSA (-1.7%, -800), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (-1.5%, -1,800), and the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.5%, -1,300).  Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (eleven areas); Government (ten areas); Retail Trade (nine areas); and Mining and Construction, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, and Financial Activities (seven areas each).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Rockford MSA (-1.2 points to 5.6%), the Elgin Metro Division (-1.1 points to 5.0%), the Lake County Metro Division (-1.1 points to 5.3%), and the Kankakee MSA (-1.0 point to 5.9%).  The Chicago Metro Division reported the only increase (+0.1 point to 5.3%).

Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - See PDF

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - February 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.