Local Unemployment Falls Across State for Fifth Consecutive Month

Every County Records Over-the-Year Decline for Third Consecutive Month

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

CHICAGO, IL –Unemployment rates in August fell in every metro for the fifth consecutive month and are at six- and seven-year lows, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Rates also fell in all 102 counties for the third consecutive month. The not seasonally adjusted data compare August 2014 with August 2013 and does not remove the effects of regular or seasonal patterns.

“This is encouraging news – more people working than one year ago and fewer people describing themselves as unemployed,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “We now will look to see how the falling unemployment rate trend unfolds as employers continue to add permanent jobs and we begin to experience seasonal hiring.”

Illinois employers added jobs in seven metros. Largest increases: Champaign-Urbana (+1.3 percent, +1,300), Danville (+1.0 percent, +300), Lake-Kenosha (+1.0 percent, +4,100), Chicago-Joliet-Naperville (+0.9 percent, +33,600) and Springfield (+0.9 percent, +1,000). Largest decreases: Peoria (-1.9 percent, -3,500), Bloomington-Normal (-1.8 percent, -1,600), Kankakee-Bradley (-0.7 percent, -300). The Leisure and Hospitality industry recorded job growth in most metros (10 of 12).

The August 2014 not seasonally adjusted statewide rate was 6.7 percent and 9.1 percent one year ago. Nationally, the rate was 6.3 percent in August and 7.3 percent one year ago. The rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits. Historically, the state unemployment rate is higher than the national rate.

Total Non-farm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – August 2014