HomeLocal NewsUnemployment Rate Falls in Thirteen MetrosUnemployment Rate Falls in Thirteen MetrosFri, March 30, 2018 by Jc TinsleyNot Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates Metropolitan AreaFeb.2018Feb.2017Over-the-Year ChangeBloomington3.6%4.9%-1.3Carbondale-Marion4.3%5.4%-1.1Champaign-Urbana3.7%4.9%-1.2Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights5.3%5.3% 0.0Danville5.6%7.2%-1.6Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL4.4%5.5%-1.1Decatur4.9%6.3%-1.4Elgin4.6%6.0%-1.4Kankakee5.1%6.6%-1.5Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI4.3%5.5%-1.2Peoria5.0%6.8%-1.8Rockford4.9%9.2%-4.3Springfield4.0%5.0%-1.0St. Louis (IL-Section)4.1%5.2%-1.1Illinois Statewide5.0%5.6%-0.6* Data subject to revision. CHICAGO–Unemployment rates decreased over-the-year in February in 13 of Illinois’s metropolitan areas and was unchanged in one, 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 eleven of the metropolitan areas. “It’s certainly a robust start to 2018 with declining unemployment rates in most areas,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “In fact, the February unemployment rate in thirteen of the metros is the lowest it has been since at least 2000.” Illinois businesses added jobs in eleven metro areas, with the largest increases in: Rockford (+5.3 percent, +7,500), Kankakee (+4.2 percent, +1,900), and Elgin (+2.5 percent, +6,300). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.5 percent or +18,700). Illinois businesses lost jobs in three metro areas: Springfield (-1.8 percent, -2,000), Carbondale-Marion (-1.6 percent, -900), and Danville (-1.1 percent, -300). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (11 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (8 of 14), Professional and Business Services, (8 of 14), and Government (8 of 14). Not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2018 with February 2017. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.0 percent in February 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 4.4 percent in February 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) – February 2018 Metropolitan AreaFebruary 2018*February 2017**Over-the-Year ChangeBloomington MSA93,60092,900700Carbondale-Marion MSA56,90057,800-900Champaign-Urbana MSA111,400110,2001,200Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division3,694,3003,675,60018,700Danville MSA27,80028,100-300Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA183,200179,9003,300Decatur MSA50,90050,800100Elgin Metro Division255,600249,3006,300Kankakee MSA47,00045,1001,900Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division408,500399,4009,100Peoria MSA167,700166,3001,400Rockford MSA149,700142,2007,500Springfield MSA110,500112,500-2,000Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA235,500235,300200Illinois Statewide5,991,3005,936,30055,000 *Preliminary **RevisedNot Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates (percent) for Local Counties and Areas Feb.2018Feb.2017Over-the-Year ChangeCarbondale-Marion MSA4.3%5.4%-1.1%Jackson County3.8%5.0%-1.2%Williamson County4.7%5.8%-1.1%Other Area CountiesAlexander County7.0%7.9%-0.9%Franklin County5.7%7.5%-1.8%Johnson County7.4%8.7%-1.3%-Massac County5.7%7.1%-1.4%Perry County5.3%6.9%-1.6%Pulaski County7.1%9.0%-1.9%Randolph County4.1%5.0%-0.9%Union County6.8%8.0%-1.2%Harrisburg AreaGallatin County5.1%6.3%-1.2%Hamilton County4.3%5.6%-1.3%Hardin County6.9%9.1%-2.2%Pope County5.3%7.2%-1.9%Saline County5.9%7.0%-1.1%White County3.9%6.1%-2.2%Olney – Mt. Carmel AreaEdwards County4.2%5.7%-1.5%Lawrence County5.4%7.6%-2.2%Richland County4.1%5.7%-1.6%Wabash County4.1%6.0%-1.9%Wayne County5.2%7.7%-2.5% Southern Illinois HighlightsHelp WantedArea employers advertised for 2,300 positions in February and approximately 82 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 4.3 percent in February 2018 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). This is a (-1.1%) decrease compared to February 2017, when the jobless rate was 5.4 percent. There were approximately 2,550 unemployed in February 2018 in the two counties. Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in the Southern Region compared to one year-ago.Area employers continued to show demand in Retail Trade, Transportation and Warehousing, Administrative and Support Services, and Educational Services in February 2018.Decreased hiring demand occurred in Public Administration and Accommodation-Food Services compared to February 2017.Top occupations for hire included Truck Drivers, Insurance Sales Agents, Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers, and Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers.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. Note:Technical Note: Monthly 2017 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2018, 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. SHARE NOWShare This Page