Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in December in all of Illinois’s metropolitan areas for the seventh consecutive month, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in nine of the metropolitan areas.
“Eleven metro areas saw their lowest December unemployment rates since 2006,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “The unemployment rate also decreased in all 102 counties over the year.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in nine metro areas, with the largest increases in: Kankakee (+2.9 percent, +1,300), Lake/Kenosha (+1.7 percent, +6,800), and Elgin (+1.3 percent, +3,400). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.8 percent or +28,700). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas, with the largest losses in: Danville (-2.1 percent, -600), Decatur (-1.4 percent, -700), and Springfield (-0.7 percent, -800).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Mining and Construction (10 of 14), Manufacturing (10 of 14), Wholesale Trade, (9 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (9 of 14), and Education and Health Services (9 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares December 2017 with December 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.7 percent in December 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 3.9 percent in December 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) – December 2017
| Metropolitan Area | December | December | Over-the-Year Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 94,500 | 93,400 | 1,100 | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 58,700 | 58,300 | 400 | |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 110,300 | 110,300 | 0 | |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,770,000 | 3,741,300 | 28,700 | |
| Danville MSA | 28,100 | 28,700 | -600 | |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 185,400 | 184,100 | 1,300 | |
| Decatur MSA | 51,100 | 51,800 | -700 | |
| Elgin Metro Division | 257,100 | 253,700 | 3,400 | |
| Kankakee MSA | 46,800 | 45,500 | 1,300 | |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 414,000 | 407,200 | 6,800 | |
| Peoria MSA | 175,900 | 174,800 | 1,100 | |
| Rockford MSA | 152,800 | 152,800 | 0 | |
| Springfield MSA | 115,900 | 116,700 | -800 | |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 240,100 | 238,500 | 1,600 | |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,091,500 | 6,053,600 | 37,900 | |
| *Preliminary **Revised | ||||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Dec.2017 | Dec.2016 | Over-the-Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 4.4% | 5.6% | -1.2% |
| Jackson County | 4.1% | 5.1% | -1.0% |
| Williamson County | 4.7% | 6.1% | -1.4% |
| Other Area Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 7.9% | 8.6% | -0.7% |
| Franklin County | 6.1% | 7.9% | -1.8% |
| Johnson County | 7.2% | 8.8% | -1.6% |
| Massac County | 5.7% | 7.1% | -1.4% |
| Perry County | 5.4% | 7.4% | -2.0% |
| Pulaski County | 8.2% | 8.4% | -0.2% |
| Randolph County | 4.0% | 5.0% | -1.0% |
| Union County | 6.5% | 7.8% | -1.3% |
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 5.5% | 7.0% | -1.5% |
| Hamilton County | 4.1% | 5.6% | -1.5% |
| Hardin County | 7.3% | 9.8% | -2.5% |
| Pope County | 5.9% | 7.5% | -1.6% |
| Saline County | 6.4% | 7.7% | -1.3% |
| White County | 4.3% | 6.4% | -2.1% |
| Olney – Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 4.1% | 5.9% | -1.8% |
| Lawrence County | 5.8% | 8.4% | -2.6% |
| Richland County | 4.3% | 5.8% | -1.5% |
| Wabash County | 4.7% | 7.0% | -2.3% |
| Wayne County | 5.5% | 8.3% | -2.8% |
Southern Illinois Highlights
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.4 percent in December 2017 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). In December 2016, the jobless rate was 5.6 percent. There were approximately 2,600 unemployed in December 2017 in the two counties. Unemployment decreased in all of the 21 counties in Southern Illinois compared to one year- ago.
Employment gains were reported in December in Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Wholesale Trade, Professional and Business Services, and Educational and Health Services in Southern Illinois. Payrolls declined in Financial Activities and Government during the past year. Stable employment was reported in Mining and Construction, Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, Information, Leisure and Hospitality, and Other Services, with no change over the year.
Numerous employment opportunities were advertised in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in December 2017. Many job openings were available in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Social Service occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Health Care Support, Education, Production, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Jobs were also advertised for Food Service, Engineering, Business-Finance, and Education-Training occupations.
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.
