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Announcement – Thursday, September 24, 2026
Unemployment Rate Down for Most Metros in August
Champaign and Chicago Reach Record High Jobs for the Month of August
Contact: Rebeca Cisco | 217-524-1219
SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in 3 metropolitan areas, including record highs for Champaign and Chicago metro areas and 9 consecutive months of year-over-year job growth for the Lake metro area. Total nonfarm jobs decreased in 8 metro areas and were unchanged in 1. Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in 11 metro areas and increased in 1 for the year ending August 2026, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
“Illinois continues to see important signs of resilience, including record-high August job levels in the Chicago and Champaign metro areas and year-over-year unemployment declines in most metro areas,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “While the federal government continues to create uncertainty for the labor market, the state will continue to double down in supporting workers and employers to provide them the tools and resources to invest and grow.”
The largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs occurred in the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (-2.4%, -2,100), Springfield (-1.6%, -1,800), and Elgin (-1.5%, -4,300). Over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs occurred in Lake (+0.6%, +2,100), Champaign-Urbana (+0.4%, +400), and Chicago (+0.3%, +13,400). Peoria was unchanged (0.0%). Industries showing job growth in most metro areas included Private Education & Health Services (10 areas) and Mining & Construction (9 areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment decreases were the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (-1.4 percentage points to 3.9%), Kankakee (-1.3 percentage points to 4.3%), and Rockford (-1.1 percentage points to 4.5%). The only metro area with an unemployment rate increase was Chicago (+1.1 percentage points to 5.6%). Statewide, unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in 96 counties and increased in 6.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
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| Metropolitan Area | August 2026* | August 2025** | Over-the-Year Change |
|---|
*Preliminary | ** Revised
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - August 2026
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| Metropolitan Area | August 2026* | August 2025** | Over-the-Year Change |
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*Preliminary | ** Revised
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.