Metro Area Unemployment Rates Continue Rising; Job Growth Remains Slow

CHICAGO, IL –Illinois jobs decreased in six metropolitan areas and unemployment rates increased in eleven regions, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The unemployment rate remained the same in three areas and one metro area saw no change in non farm jobs.  The not seasonally adjusted data compares over-the-year change from December 2015 with December 2014.

Illinois businesses lost jobs in areas including the Quad Cities (-2.4 percent, -4,500), Decatur (-1.8 percent, -900), Carbondale-Marion (-1.3 percent, -700), and Lake-Kenosha (-1.3 percent, -5,100).  Illinois businesses added jobs in seven metros including Elgin (+1.6 percent, +4,100), Champaign-Urbana (+0.8 percent, +900), Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+0.7 percent or +26,800), and Danville (+0.7 percent, +200). Two industries recorded job growth: Education and Health Services (nine sectors) and Leisure and Hospitality (eight sectors).

“Illinois took another hit on jobs and many metro areas continue to absorb these hits,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Since the previous jobs peak in 2007, only three out of fourteen metro areas have regained the jobs lost during the recession.”

The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.9 percent in December 2015 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.8 percent in December 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) – December 2015

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

* Unemployment rates for cities with total population of 25,000 or more can be found at www.ides.illinois.gov/LMI/Pages/Current_Monthly_Unemployment_Rates.aspx

Lake & Kenosha Counties, IL-WI Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 5.8 percent in December 2015 from 5.7 percent in December 2014. For the month of December 2015, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 26,300.

Total nonfarm employment decreased -5,100 compared to December 2015. Educational and Health Services (+700), Financial Activities (+300), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+200), Wholesale Trade (+200), and Manufacturing (+100) reported payroll gains. The Professional-Business Services (-4,000) and Government (-1,400) sectors recorded the largest employment decline compared to one year ago.

Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in December 2015 was 5.6 percent, unchanged from December 2014.  For the month of December 2015, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 212,200.

Total nonfarm employment increased +26,800 compared to December 2014. Professional-Business Services (+10,800), Construction (+8,800), and Educational and Health Services (+5,600) reported the largest payroll gains. Manufacturing (-6,300) and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (-3,000) recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.

Elgin, IL Metro Division

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.2 percent in December 2015 from 6.0 percent in December 2014. For the month of December 2015, the estimated number of unemployed people in the labor force was 20,100.

Total nonfarm employment increased +4,100 compared to December 2014. Educational-Health Services (+1,400), Leisure-Hospitality (+1,300), Government (+900), and Professional-Business Services (+700) reported the largest payroll gains. The Manufacturing, Construction, Wholesale Trade, and Information sectors each recorded employment declines of -100 compared to one year ago.