Prairie State Wire

Over the year ending in August 2024, total nonfarm jobs increased in eight metropolitan areas, decreased in five, and remained unchanged in one, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). During the same period, unemployment rates fell in nine areas, rose in four, and stayed the same in one.

"Stable, consistent job growth across the state continues to position jobseekers and employers to leverage new and developing opportunities," stated Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "IDES and its essential workforce partners are working throughout the state to offer critical employment services to enthusiastic jobseekers."

The Champaign-Urbana MSA saw a 4.7% increase (+5,400 jobs), Carbondale-Marion MSA grew by 1.6% (+900 jobs), Bloomington MSA increased by 0.7% (+700 jobs), and the Illinois section of the St. Louis MSA also saw a 0.7% rise (+1,600 jobs). Conversely, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA experienced a decrease of 1.4% (-2,600 jobs), Elgin Metro Division declined by 0.9% (-2,300 jobs), and Peoria MSA dropped by 0.6% (-1,100 jobs). The Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division showed almost no change (0.0%, -1,200 jobs), while Decatur MSA had no change.

Rockford MSA experienced a significant drop in unemployment rate by 1 percentage point to 6.0%, with Decatur MSA decreasing by 0.5 percentage points to 6.3%. In contrast, Chicago Metro Division's unemployment rate increased by 0.7 points to reach 5.7%, Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA rose by 0.5 points to hit 4.9%, and Bloomington MSA climbed up by 0.2 points reaching an unemployment rate of 4.8%. Carbondale-Marion MSA reported no change.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) plays a crucial role in providing employment services such as Job Fairs and resources like IllinoisJobLink.com and WorkShare IL for workers and employers throughout Illinois.