SPRINGFIELD –The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in July in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, with five metro areas at record low payrolls, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas and to record highs for the month of July in four metros. The official, BLS-approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.
“As the state continues to monitor the safety of economic reopening, IDES is committed to continuing to help those who need services,” said IDES Acting Director Kristin Richards. “With the support of the Pritzker administration, the Department is prepared to support working families who continue to be affected by this pandemic.”
The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-12.0%, -20,700), Decatur (-11.2%, -5,700) and Elgin (-10.8%, -28,200). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down -8.1% (-311,900). No industry sector saw job gains in a majority of metro areas.
Not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2020 with July 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 11.3 percent in July 2020, was the highest unemployment rate the month of July since 1983, when it was 11.5 percent. The official, BLS approved, statewide unemployment rate series begins in 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 10.5 percent in July 2020, was a record high for the month of July, dating back to 1948. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | July 2020* | July 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 8.0% | 4.1% | 3.9 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 9.2% | 4.3% | 4.9 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 7.9% | 4.2% | 3.7 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 12.6% | 4.1% | 8.5 |
| Danville | 9.9% | 5.4% | 4.5 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 9.1% | 3.9% | 5.2 |
| Decatur | 12.0% | 5.6% | 6.4 |
| Elgin | 10.3% | 4.3% | 6.0 |
| Kankakee | 9.5% | 4.7% | 4.8 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 8.9% | 3.9% | 5.0 |
| Peoria | 10.6% | 4.6% | 6.0 |
| Rockford | 13.8% | 6.7% | 7.1 |
| Springfield | 9.1% | 4.0% | 5.1 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 9.4% | 4.3% | 5.1 |
| Illinois Statewide | 11.3% | 4.2% | 7.1 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised |
| Metropolitan Area | July | July | Over-the-Year |
2020* | 2019** | Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 83,400 | 90,000 | -6,600 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 53,700 | 56,700 | -3,000 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 104,300 | 108,700 | -4,400 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,518,500 | 3,830,400 | -311,900 |
| Danville MSA | 25,400 | 27,300 | -1,900 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 172,300 | 189,200 | -16,900 |
| Decatur MSA | 45,000 | 50,700 | -5,700 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 233,300 | 261,500 | -28,200 |
| Kankakee MSA | 43,800 | 45,900 | -2,100 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 387,800 | 428,400 | -40,600 |
| Peoria MSA | 151,200 | 171,900 | -20,700 |
| Rockford MSA | 137,900 | 150,000 | -12,100 |
| Springfield MSA | 102,900 | 109,900 | -7,000 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 224,300 | 238,400 | -14,100 |
| Illinois Statewide | 5,637,300 | 6,134,900 | -497,600 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |
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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | Jul 2020 | Jul 2019 | Over the Year Change | |
| Mattoon-Charleston Area | ||||
| Clark County | 8.1 % | 4.3 % | 3.8 | |
| Coles County | 9.6 % | 4.6 % | 5.0 | |
| Cumberland County | 6.8 % | 3.3 % | 3.5 | |
| Douglas County | 6.5 % | 4.0 % | 2.5 | |
| Edgar County | 6.9 % | 4.3 % | 2.6 | |
| Moultrie County | 6.1 % | 3.6 % | 2.5 | |
| Shelby County | 7.4 % | 4.0 % | 3.4 | |
| Effingham Area | ||||
| Clay County | 9.3 % | 4.7 % | 4.6 | |
| Crawford County | 7.8 % | 4.1 % | 3.7 | |
| Effingham County | 7.5 % | 3.2 % | 4.3 | |
| Fayette County | 8.8 % | 4.1 % | 4.7 | |
| Jasper County | 6.3 % | 4.5 % | 1.8 | |
| Centralia – Mt. Vernon Area | ||||
| Clinton County | 6.2 % | 3.1 % | 3.1 | |
| Hamilton County | 7.8 % | 4.0 % | 3.8 | |
| Jefferson County | 10.5 % | 5.0 % | 5.5 | |
| Marion County | 9.4 % | 4.5 % | 4.9 | |
| Washington County | 5.1 % | 2.5 % | 2.6 | |
| Wayne County | 8.7 % | 4.8 % | 3.9 | |
| Other Areas | ||||
| LWIA 21 | 8.1 % | 4.2 % | 3.9 | |
| LWIA 23 | 8.2 % | 4.2 % | 4.0 | |
| LWIA 24 | 9.5 % | 4.2 % | 5.3 | |
| LWIA 25 | 9.8 % | 4.7 % | 5.1 | |
| LWIA 26 | 9.5 % | 5.1 % | 4.4 | |
| Southeastern EDR | 8.2 % | 4.2 % | 4.0 |
South Central Illinois Highlights
Mattoon – Charleston Area
July nonfarm employment decreased by -2,525 since July 2020.
Employment gains were posted in Construction (+200), Financial Activities (+200), Information (+125), and Natural Resources and Mining (+50).
Payrolls decreased in Manufacturing (-925), Leisure and Hospitality (-600), Educational and Health Services (-550), Professional and Business Services (-475), Other Services (-300), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-75), and Government (-75).
Effingham Area
Nonfarm employment in July decreased by -2,175 compared to last year.
Employment gains were posted in Construction (+125), and Information (+25).
Payrolls declined in Manufacturing (-725), Leisure and Hospitality (-475), Educational and Health Services (-375), Professional and Business Services (-250), Government (-200), Other Services (-150), Financial Activities (-100), and Trade Transportation and Utilities (-50). Natural Resources and Mining employment remained unchanged.
Centralia – Mt. Vernon Area
July nonfarm employment decreased by -4,900 since July 2019.
Employment decreased in Manufacturing (-1,700), Leisure and Hospitality (-975), Educational and Health Services (-925), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-350), Other Services (-275), Government (-250), Natural Resources and Mining (-150), Financial Activities (-100), Information (-75), Professional and Business Services (-75), and Construction (-25).
Note: Monthly 2019 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2020, as required by the U.S. BLS. Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.
