This month, 13 of Illinois’ metropolitan (metro) areas experienced declines in their over-the-year unemployment rates and one was unchanged. Eight of the metro areas had increases in nonfarm jobs and six reported declines, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
“Job growth in Illinois’ metro areas still lag the rest of the nation,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “The metro areas outside of Chicago have experienced more job growth recently than the Chicago metro area, which is a bit of a change from earlier in the year.”
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metro areas, in which the largest increases were seen in: Champaign-Urbana (+1.9 percent, +2,100), Elgin (+1.4 percent, +3,600), and Kankakee (+1.1 percent, +500). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.7 percent or +26,400). Illinois businesses lost jobs in six metro areas including Carbondale-Marion (-4.0 percent, -2,400), Decatur (-1.9 percent, -1,000), and Peoria (-1.8 percent, -3,300). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas were: Retail Trade (11 of 14), Education and Health Services (10 of 14), and Government (eight of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2016 with November 2015. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.3 percent in November 2016 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 November 2016 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) – November 2016
| Metropolitan Area | Nov. | Nov. | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 95,000 | 96,200 | -1,200 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 57,200 | 59,600 | -2,400 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 113,800 | 111,700 | 2,100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,737,300 | 3,710,900 | 26,400 |
| Danville MSA | 29,500 | 29,600 | -100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 181,100 | 182,800 | -1,700 |
| Decatur MSA | 51,600 | 52,600 | -1,000 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 264,600 | 261,000 | 3,600 |
| Kankakee MSA | 46,400 | 45,900 | 500 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 413,200 | 410,200 | 3,000 |
| Peoria MSA | 176,700 | 180,000 | -3,300 |
| Rockford MSA | 155,300 | 154,200 | 1,100 |
| Springfield MSA | 116,500 | 115,300 | 1,200 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 238,600 | 237,600 | 1,000 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,095,700 | 6,052,900 | 42,800 |
| *Preliminary **Revised | |||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Labor Market Area | Nov. 2016 | Nov. 2015 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin IL-IN-WI MSA | 5.3% | 5.4% | -0.1 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division | |||
| Cook County | 5.7% | 5.6% | 0.1 |
| DuPage County | 4.4% | 4.3% | 0.1 |
| Grundy County | 5.8% | 5.8% | 0.0 |
| Kendall County | 4.8% | 4.6% | 0.2 |
| McHenry County | 4.8% | 4.7% | 0.1 |
| Will County | 5.4% | 5.4% | 0.0 |
| Elgin, IL Metro Division | |||
| DeKalb County | 4.6% | 5.9% | -1.3 |
| Kane County | 4.8% | 6.0% | -1.2 |
| Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division | |||
| Lake County | 4.6% | 5.7% | -1.1 |
| Cities (with total population of at least 100,000) * | |||
| Aurora City | 4.8% | 5.8% | -1.0 |
| Chicago City | 6.1% | 5.9% | 0.2 |
| Elgin City | 5.6% | 6.7% | -1.1 |
| Joliet City | 6.4% | 6.2% | 0.2 |
| Naperville City | 4.5% | 4.3% | 0.2 |
* Unemployment rates for cities with total population of 25,000 or more can be found atwww.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Pages/Current_Monthly_Unemployment_Rates.aspx
Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.5 percent in November 2016 from 5.5 percent in November 2015. The last time the November rate was equal to or lower was in 2006 when it was 3.8 percent. For the month of November 2016, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 20,900.
Total nonfarm employment increased +3,000 compared to November 2015. Professional-Business Services (+2,100) and Wholesale Trade (+1,100) reported the largest payroll gains. The Leisure-Hospitality (-1,100) and Financial Activities
(-1,000) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was unchanged at 5.4 percent in November 2016 compared to November 2015. For the month of November 2016, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 205,400.
Total nonfarm employment increased +26,400 compared to November 2015. Professional-Business Services (+17,600) and Leisure-Hospitality (+12,600) reported the largest payroll gains. The Financial Activities (-5,400), Information (-2,800), Wholesale Trade (-2,100), and Manufacturing
(-2,000) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Elgin, IL Metro Division
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.7 percent in November 2016 from 6.0 percent in November 2015. The last time the November rate was equal to or lower than was in 2007 when it was 4.4 percent. For the month of November 2016, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 15,600.
Total nonfarm employment increased +3,600 compared to November 2015. Professional-Business Services (+3,400), Retail Trade (+1,400), and Construction (+1,000) reported the largest payroll gains. Leisure-Hospitality (-1,400), Wholesale Trade (-1,100), and Manufacturing (-400) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Note:
Monthly 2015 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February 2016, as required by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (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.
