Illinois Department of Employment Security issued the following announcement on March 28.
Unemployment rates increased over-the-year in February in ten of Illinois's metropolitan areas, decreased in two, and was unchanged in two, 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 eight of the metropolitan areas.
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in: Peoria (+2.4%, +4,000), Carbondale-Marion (+2.1%, +1,200), Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+1.4%, +51,600), and Lake-Kenosha (+1.4%, +5,600). The metro areas showing an over-the-year decrease in total nonfarm jobs were Danville (-2.2%, -600), Bloomington (-1.4%, -1,300), St. Louis-IL Section (-0.4%, -1,000), and Champaign-Urbana (-0.4%, -400).
The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Manufacturing (10 of 14), Professional and Business Services (9 of 14), Mining and Construction (8 of 14), and Government (8 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2019 with February 2018. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 4.7 percent in February 2019 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.1 percent in February 2019 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.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | Feb. 2019 | Feb. 2018 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 4.8% | 4.3% | 0.5 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 5.0% | 5.0% | 0.0 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.8% | 4.4% | 0.4 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 4.0% | 4.6% | -0.6 |
| Danville | 6.3% | 6.6% | -0.3 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.0 |
| Decatur | 6.2% | 5.7% | 0.5 |
| Elgin | 5.9% | 5.3% | 0.6 |
| Kankakee | 6.7% | 6.1% | 0.6 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 5.3% | 5.0% | 0.3 |
| Peoria | 6.0% | 5.7% | 0.3 |
| Rockford | 6.4% | 5.7% | 0.7 |
| Springfield | 5.1% | 4.6% | 0.5 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 5.1% | 4.8% | 0.3 |
| Illinois Statewide | 4.7% | 4.9% | -0.2 |
| * Data subject to revision. | |||
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - February 2019
| Metropolitan Area | February
2019* | February
2018** | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington MSA | 91.800 | 93,100 | -1,300 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 58,500 | 57,300 | 1,200 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 110,800 | 111,200 | -400 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,749,100 | 3,697,500 | 51,600 |
| Danville MSA | 27,000 | 27,600 | -600 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 183,500 | 182,000 | 1,500 |
| Decatur MSA | 51,100 | 51,200 | -100 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 259,100 | 255,700 | 3,400 |
| Kankakee MSA | 45,000 | 44,700 | 300 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 415,100 | 409,500 | 5,600 |
| Peoria MSA | 172,900 | 168,900 | 4,000 |
| Rockford MSA | 151,300 | 150,500 | 800 |
| Springfield MSA | 112,100 | 112,200 | -100 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 236,600 | 237,600 | -1,000 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,055,100 | 5,994,600 | 60,500 |
| *Preliminary **Revised |
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Labor Market Area | Feb.
2019 | Feb.
2018 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Carbondale - Marion MSA | 5.0% | 5.0% | 0.0% |
| Jackson County | 4.6% | 4.5% | 0.1% |
| Williamson County | 5.3% | 5.4% | -0.1% |
| Surrounding Counties | |||
| Alexander County | 6.8% | 8.3% | -1.5% |
| Franklin County | 6.5% | 6.4% | 0.1% |
| Johnson County | 8.6% | 8.6% | 0.0% |
| Massac County | 6.7% | 6.6% | 0.1% |
| Perry County | 6.1% | 6.0% | 0.1% |
| Pulaski County | 8.7% | 8.6% | 0.1% |
| Randolph County | 4.6% | 4.8% | -0.2% |
| Union County | 8.0% | 7.9% | 0.1% |
| Harrisburg Area | |||
| Gallatin County | 5.7% | 6.0% | -0.3% |
| Hamilton County | 5.1% | 5.1% | 0.0% |
| Hardin County | 7.9% | 8.0% | -0.1% |
| Pope County | 6.5% | 6.3% | 0.2% |
| Saline County | 6.6% | 6.8% | -0.2% |
| White County | 4.8% | 4.5% | 0.3% |
| Olney - Mt. Carmel Area | |||
| Edwards County | 5.3% | 4.9% | 0.4% |
| Lawrence County | 6.7% | 6.3% | 0.4% |
| Richland County | 5.0% | 4.9% | 0.1% |
| Wabash County | 4.7% | 4.6% | 0.1% |
| Wayne County | 6.2% | 6.0% | 0.2% |
| Other Areas | |||
| LWA 23 | 5.3% | 5.1% | 0.2% |
| LWA 24 | 5.0% | 4.7% | 0.3% |
| LWA 25 | 5.4% | 5.4% | 0.0% |
| LWA 26 | 6.4% | 6.4% | 0.0% |
| Southern EDR | 5.8% | 5.8% | 0.0% |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Help Wanted
Area employers advertised for 3,100 positions in February and approximately 74 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 indicates because some industries, such as Construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.
Carbondale - Marion Area
Non-farm employment increased by +1,200 compared to last February.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+600) and the Private Service Providing sector (+600).
Surrounding Counties
Non-farm employment increased by +400 compared to last February.
Employment gains were posted in Leisure & Hospitality (+300), Educational & Health Services (+100), Government (+100), Construction (+100), and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (+100).
Employment in Manufacturing (-300) and Retail Trade (-100) declined.
Harrisburg Area
Non-farm employment increased by +400 over the year.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+100) and Educational & Health Services (+100). Slight increases were reported in Leisure & Hospitality, Natural Resources & Mining, Other Services, Financial Activities, Construction, Manufacturing, Information, and Wholesale Trade.
Employment in Retail Trade and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities declined slightly.
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area
Non-farm employment decreased (-200) over the year.
Slight employment gains were posted in Leisure & Hospitality, Construction, Financial Activities, Professional & Business Services, and Natural Resources & Mining.
Employment in Government (-100), Educational & Health Services (-100), and Transportation, Warehousing, & Utilities (-100) declined.
Note: Monthly 2018 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2019, 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.
LWA 23 — Local Workforce Area 23 is composed of Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Lawrence, Marion, Moultrie, and Richland Counties.
LWA 24 — Local Workforce Area 24 is composed of Clinton, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, and Washington Counties.
LWA 25 — Local Workforce Area 25 is composed of Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, and Williamson Counties.
LWA 26 — Local Workforce Area 26 is composed of Alexander, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, and White Counties.
Original source can be found here.
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