Prairie State Wire

Over the past year, total nonfarm jobs increased in eleven metropolitan areas, decreased in two, and remained unchanged in one for the year ending August 2023. This information was released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). The unemployment rate rose in thirteen metropolitan areas and fell in one.

"Steady, consistent job growth statewide continues to boost a strengthening Illinois economy," stated Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "A growing labor market and newly created jobs are giving workers and jobseekers the opportunity to reenter the workforce and pivot career choices that better suit the talent and diversity of the state workforce."

The Elgin Metro area experienced the largest percentage increase in total nonfarm jobs at 2.5%, adding 6,400 jobs. Danville MSA followed with a 2.2% increase, adding 600 jobs, while Springfield MSA saw a 2.0% rise with an addition of 2,200 jobs. In Chicago Metro, total nonfarm jobs increased by 0.9%, or 35,700 positions.

Conversely, Kankakee MSA saw a decrease of 0.5%, losing 200 jobs, while Rockford MSA experienced a decline of 0.2%, losing 300 jobs. Decatur MSA's job numbers remained unchanged.

Industries contributing to job growth across most metro areas included Education & Health Services (thirteen areas), Leisure & Hospitality (twelve areas), and Government (eleven areas).

Danville MSA had the largest unemployment rate increase at +2.0 points to reach 7.1%. Rockford MSA followed with an increase of +1.9 points to reach 7.4%, while Decatur MSA's rate rose by +1.7 points to hit 7.2%. The only metro area experiencing a decrease in unemployment was Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division, which saw a reduction of -0.2 percentage point to reach an unemployment rate of 5%.