Prairie State Wire

Over the past year, ten metropolitan areas saw an increase in total nonfarm jobs, while four experienced a decrease for the period ending November 2023. This data was released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Deputy Governor Andy Manar commented on this trend: “Further job growth continues to expand throughout every corner of the state across a variety of industry sectors, creating new opportunities for workers.” He added that "IDES and its workforce partners are committed to assisting both employers and jobseekers with available resources to find the right fit for their workforce and employment needs."

The Danville MSA led with a 3.0% increase, adding 800 jobs. The Springfield MSA and Carbondale-Marion MSA both saw a 1.5% rise in employment numbers, gaining 1,700 and 900 jobs respectively. In contrast, Decatur MSA experienced a decline of 1.4%, losing 700 jobs.

Industries such as Government, Education and Health Services, and Leisure and Hospitality reported job growth in most metro areas.

Unemployment rates increased in eleven metropolitan areas while decreasing in three. Notable increases were seen in Lake County IL-WI Metro (+0.4 point), Rockford MSA (+0.4 point), Decatur MSA (+0.3 point), and Elgin Metro (+0.3 point). Conversely, decreases were observed in Carbondale-Marion MSA (-0.1 point), Chicago Metro (-0.1 point), and Springfield MSA (-0.1 point).