Unemployment Rates Increase in Most Metro Areas

Unemployment Rates Increase in Most Metro Areas

CHICAGO–The majority of Illinois’ metropolitan (metro) areas experienced increases in their over-the-year unemployment rate. Five of the metro areas had increases in nonfarm jobs, eight reported declines, and one was unchanged, according to preliminary data released recently by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department

of Employment Security (IDES).

“Job losses outside of the Chicago area continue to hamper overall statewide job growth,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “The decrease in the Chicago and Quad Cities unemployment rate is again offset by increased unemployment rates in most of the other metro areas.”

Illinois businesses added jobs in five metro areas, in which the largest increases were seen in: Springfield (+2.0 percent, +2,200), Champaign (+0.7 percent, +700), and Elgin (+0.5 percent, +1,300). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville- Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+0.4 percent or +15,600). Illinois businesses lost jobs in eight metro areas including Peoria (-2.7 percent, -4,700), Rockford (-2.5 percent, -3,700), and Bloomington (-2.4 percent, -2,200). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas were: Professional and Business Services (eight of 14) and Education and Health Services (eight of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares January 2017 with January 2016. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.5 percent in January 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 5.1 percent in January 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.

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