The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security have reported a decrease in unemployment rates in nine metropolitan areas, an increase in three, and no change in two for the year ending December 2024. Total nonfarm jobs saw growth in six areas, a decline in five, and remained stable or nearly unchanged in three.
Deputy Governor Andy Manar commented on the situation, stating: "The Illinois labor force continues to see growth as payroll jobs remain steady and the market is ripe with employment opportunities across industry sectors." He emphasized that "IDES is focused on providing the critical job matching services to employers and businesses who are eager to take advantage of the state’s economy."
Significant job increases were noted in Champaign-Urbana MSA with a rise of 3.7% (4,600 jobs), Carbondale-Marion MSA at 1.9% (1,100 jobs), and Springfield MSA at 1.7% (1,800 jobs). Conversely, Peoria MSA experienced a decline of 1.2% (2,000 jobs), Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA fell by 0.9% (1,700 jobs), and Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro decreased by 0.8% (3,600 jobs). Job numbers remained mostly unchanged in Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division, Danville MSA, and the Illinois part of the St. Louis MSA.
Industries such as Private Education and Health Services saw job growth across fourteen areas; Government had increases in twelve areas; Other Services expanded in eleven regions.
Rockford MSA recorded the largest drop in unemployment rate by one percentage point to 4.9%, followed by Kankakee MSA decreasing by 0.8 points to 5%, and Champaign MSA reducing by 0.6 points to 3.3%. Areas with increased unemployment rates included Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA up by 0.6 points to 4.5%, Chicago Metro Division rising by 0.5 points to 4.3%, and Peoria MSA climbing slightly by 0.1 point to 4.8%. No changes were observed in Bloomington and Danville MSAs.
For further details on unemployment rates or total nonfarm jobs not seasonally adjusted for December 2024, reference materials are available via PDF from IDES.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security offers essential employment services through various platforms like Job Fairs, IllinoisJobLink.com, WorkShare IL, along with labor market analysis and administration of Unemployment Insurance Programs.
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