Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | Mar. 2018 | Mar. 2017 | Over-the-Year Change | |||
| Bloomington | 3.8% | 4.4% | -0.6 | |||
| Carbondale-Marion | 4.6% | 4.9% | -0.3 | |||
| Champaign-Urbana | 3.8% | 4.5% | -0.7 | |||
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 4.2% | 4.7% | -0.5 | |||
| Danville | 5.8% | 6.5% | -0.7 | |||
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.2% | 4.9% | -0.7 | |||
| Decatur | 5.2% | 5.7% | -0.5 | |||
| Elgin | 4.8% | 5.4% | -0.6 | |||
| Kankakee | 5.2% | 5.8% | -0.6 | |||
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 4.4% | 5.0% | -0.6 | |||
| Peoria | 5.1% | 6.1% | -1.0 | |||
| Rockford | 5.1% | 8.4% | -3.3 | |||
| Springfield | 4.1% | 4.5% | -0.4 | |||
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 4.1% | 4.7% | -0.6 | |||
| Illinois Statewide | 4.4% | 5.0% | -0.6 | |||
* Data subject to revision. | ||||||
CHICAGO–Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in March in all of Illinois’s metropolitan areas, 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 ten of the metropolitan areas.
“We continue to see declining unemployment rates in all areas,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “In fact, the March unemployment rate was down in all but one of Illinois’ 102 counties.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in: Rockford (+4.5 percent, +6,400), Kankakee (+3.7 percent, +1,700), and Lake (+2.4 percent, +9,700). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.2 percent or +9,100). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas with the largest losses in: Springfield (-3.0 percent, -3,400), Carbondale-Marion (-2.4 percent, -1,400), and Danville (-1.1 percent, -300).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (9 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (9 of 14), Professional and Business Services, (8 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14), and Government (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares March 2018 with March 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.4 percent in March 2018 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in March 2018 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) – March 2018
| Metropolitan Area | March | March | Over-the-Year Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 93,300 | 93,000 | 300 | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 56,800 | 58,200 | -1,400 | |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 112,300 | 110,900 | 1,400 | |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,710,300 | 3,701,200 | 9,100 | |
| Danville MSA | 27,900 | 28,200 | -300 | |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 184,300 | 181,300 | 3,000 | |
| Decatur MSA | 50,900 | 50,800 | 100 | |
| Elgin Metro Division | 257,300 | 253,000 | 4,300 | |
| Kankakee MSA | 47,200 | 45,500 | 1,700 | |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 412,200 | 402,500 | 9,700 | |
| Peoria MSA | 169,300 | 168,400 | 900 | |
| Rockford MSA | 149,300 | 142,900 | 6,400 | |
| Springfield MSA | 110,300 | 113,700 | -3,400 | |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 238,100 | 238,400 | -300 | |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,021,800 | 5,979,900 | 41,900 | |
| *Preliminary **Revised | ||||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
March 2018 | March2017 | Over-the-Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 4.6% | 4.9% | -0.3% |
| Jackson County | 4.1% | 4.4% | -0.3% |
| Williamson County | 5.0% | 5.3% | -0.3% |
| Other Area Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 7.2% | 7.6% | -0.4% |
| Franklin County | 5.8% | 6.6% | -0.8% |
| Johnson County | 7.4% | 7.6% | -0.2% |
| Massac County | 5.8% | 6.1% | -0.3% |
| Perry County | 5.5% | 5.9% | -0.4% |
| Pulaski County | 7.8% | 8.2% | -0.4% |
| Randolph County | 4.1% | 4.4% | -0.3% |
| Union County | 6.6% | 7.1% | -0.5% |
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 5.2% | 5.8% | -0.6% |
| Hamilton County | 4.2% | 4.9% | -0.7% |
| Hardin County | 6.5% | 7.3% | -0.8% |
| Pope County | 5.2% | 6.2% | -1.0% |
| Saline County | 6.1% | 6.1% | 0.0% |
| White County | 4.1% | 5.3% | -1.2% |
| Olney – Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 4.1% | 5.1% | -1.0% |
| Lawrence County | 5.4% | 6.2% | -0.8% |
| Richland County | 4.2% | 4.9% | -0.7% |
| Wabash County | 4.0% | 5.0% | -1.0% |
| Wayne County | 5.3% | 6.6% | -1.3% |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 2,300 positions in March and approximately 80 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted Online data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicated because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.6 percent in March 2018 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). This is a (-0.3%) decrease compared to March 2017, when the jobless rate was 4.9 percent. Unemployment decreased or remained unchanged in all 21 counties in the Southern Region compared to one year-ago.
Area employers continued to show demand in Transportation and Warehousing, Professional Services, Manufacturing, and Retail in March 2018.
Decreased hiring demand occurred in Health Care and Social Assistance, Administrative Support Services, Public Administration, and Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation.
Top occupations for hire included Truck Drivers, Psychiatric Technicians, Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers, and Customer Service Representatives in March 2018.
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.
