Unemployment rate drops in all metro areas
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | June 2017 | June 2016 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 4.4% | 5.3% | -0.9 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 5.2% | 5.8% | -0.6 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.8% | 5.3% | -0.5 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 5.1% | 6.2% | -1.1 |
| Danville | 6.8% | 7.0% | -0.2 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.5% | 5.4% | -0.9 |
| Decatur | 5.9% | 6.6% | -0.7 |
| Elgin | 4.8% | 5.2% | -0.4 |
| Kankakee | 5.4% | 6.0% | -0.6 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.3% | 4.9% | -0.6 |
| Peoria | 5.5% | 6.2% | -0.7 |
| Rockford | 5.8% | 6.3% | -0.5 |
| Springfield | 4.3% | 4.6% | -0.3 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.0% | 5.7% | -0.7 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5.0% | 6.0% | -1.0 |
* Data subject to revision. |
CHICAGO–Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in June in all of Illinois’s metropolitan areas and all but two counties, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Dept. of Employment Security (IDES).
Data also show more nonfarm jobs in eleven of the metropolitan areas while one was unchanged and two reported declines.
“We gained jobs but at about half the rate than the rest of the country,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Although the unemployment rates are lower compared to last year, the labor force continues to shrink in most metro areas across the state.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metro areas, with the largest increases in: Bloomington (+3.4 percent, +3,100), Lake (+2.8 percent, +11,700), and Kankakee (+2.7 percent, +1,200). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+1.1 percent or +39,600). Illinois businesses lost jobs in two metro areas: Danville (-0.7 percent, -200) and Rockford (-0.1 percent, -200).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Professional and Business Services (11 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (10 of 14), Government (10 of 14), and Mining and Construction (nine of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares June 2017 with June 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.0 percent in June 2017 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in June 2017 and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work, and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – June 2017
| Metropolitan Area | June | June | Over-the-Year Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 94,500 | 91,400 | 3,100 | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 57,000 | 55,700 | 1,300 | |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 106,000 | 105,600 | 400 | |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,780,000 | 3,740,400 | 39,600 | |
| Danville MSA | 28,300 | 28,500 | -200 | |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 185,200 | 184,400 | 800 | |
| Decatur MSA | 51,500 | 51,500 | 0 | |
| Elgin Metro Division | 257,800 | 256,300 | 1,500 | |
| Kankakee MSA | 45,700 | 44,500 | 1,200 | |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 429,300 | 417,600 | 11,700 | |
| Peoria MSA | 177,500 | 176,100 | 1,400 | |
| Rockford MSA | 153,100 | 153,300 | -200 | |
| Springfield MSA | 116,700 | 114,700 | 2,000 | |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 237,800 | 236,500 | 1,300 | |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,101,100 | 6,044,500 | 56,600 | |
| *Preliminary **Revised | ||||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
June2017 | June 2016 | Over-the-Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 5.2% | 5.8% | -0.6 |
| Jackson County | 4.9% | 5.5% | -0.6 |
| Williamson County | 5.5% | 6.1% | -0.6 |
| Other Area Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 9.8% | 9.5% | 0.3 |
| Franklin County | 6.8% | 8.1% | -1.3 |
| Johnson County | 7.6% | 8.1% | -0.5 |
| Massac County | 7.2% | 7.0% | 0.2 |
| Perry County | 6.2% | 7.1% | -0.9 |
| Pulaski County | 8.5% | 8.7% | -0.2 |
| Randolph County | 4.6% | 4.9% | -0.3 |
| Union County | 6.0% | 6.7% | -0.7 |
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 5.8% | 7.2% | -1.4 |
| Hamilton County | 4.5% | 5.6% | -1.1 |
| Hardin County | 8.6% | 10.1% | -1.5 |
| Pope County | 7.0% | 7.1% | -0.1 |
| Saline County | 7.0% | 8.8% | -1.8 |
| White County | 4.9% | 6.7% | -1.8 |
| Olney – Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 4.3% | 5.1% | -0.8 |
| Lawrence County | 6.3% | 7.4% | -1.1 |
| Richland County | 4.8% | 5.8% | -1.0 |
| Wabash County | 5.3% | 6.1% | -0.8 |
| Wayne County | 6.4% | 8.5% | -2.1 |
Southern Illinois Highlights
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.2 percent in June 2017 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). In June 2016, the jobless rate was 5.8 percent. Students entered the summer labor force seeking temporary and part time jobs primarily in Recreation and Retail Trade. Unemployment decreased in 19 of 21counties compared to one year ago.
Employment gains were reported in Leisure-Hospitality and Construction this summer in Southern Illinois. Over the year, employment increases were reported in Health Care Services, Manufacturing, Retail Trade, and Professional-Business Services. Payroll losses occurred in Mining and both State and Local Government.
Numerous employment opportunities were advertised in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in early summer 2017. Many job openings were available in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Social Services, Health Care Support, Business-Finance, Production, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Outdoor jobs were offered for workers in Construction and Building and Ground Maintenance.
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
