Illinois Department of Employment Security issued the following announcement on April 2.
While the unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in February in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas and all 102 counties, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the department continues to receive an unprecedented number of unemployment claims as a result of COVID-19.
"This administration is fully committed to the health and safety of our workforce and ensuring our workers can provide for their families in this challenging time," said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. "As we navigate this period of economic uncertainty, we will continue to champion policies that will lift up every Illinoisan while making investments that will help to strengthen our economy."
Data also shows the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in nine Illinois metropolitan areas and increased in five. Illinois businesses added jobs in five metro areas, with the largest percentage increases in Kankakee (+2.2%, +1,000), Champaign-Urbana (+1.8%, +2,100) and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights (+1.0%, +37,500). Total nonfarm jobs were down in Rockford (-3.5%, -5,200), Peoria (-1.8%, -3,000) and Lake-Kenosha (-1.2%, -5,100). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metro areas included Education and Health Services (11 of 14).
Not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2020 with February 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 3.5 percent in February 2020 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 3.8 percent in February 2020 and 10.6 percent in January 2010, at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
| Metropolitan Area | February 2020* | February 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 2.8% | 4.5% | -1.7 |
| Carbondale-Marion | 3.1% | 4.7% | -1.6 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 2.7% | 4.4% | -1.7 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 3.4% | 4.2% | -0.8 |
| Danville | 4.1% | 5.9% | -1.8 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 4.0% | 4.8% | -0.8 |
| Decatur | 4.3% | 5.9% | -1.6 |
| Elgin | 4.0% | 5.6% | -1.6 |
| Kankakee | 4.5% | 6.3% | -1.8 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 3.9% | 5.2% | -1.3 |
| Peoria | 4.2% | 5.8% | -1.6 |
| Rockford | 4.8% | 6.1% | -1.3 |
| Springfield | 3.2% | 4.9% | -1.7 |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 3.2% | 4.8% | -1.6 |
| Illinois Statewide | 3.5% | 4.7% | -1.2 |
| * Preliminary | ** Revised |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - February 2020
| Metropolitan Area | February | February | Over-the-Year |
| 2020* | 2019** | Change | |
| Bloomington MSA | 91,400 | 92,400 | -1,000 |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 57,700 | 58,100 | -400 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 117,400 | 115,300 | 2,100 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,754,000 | 3,716,500 | 37,500 |
| Danville MSA | 26,900 | 27,100 | -200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 182,700 | 183,300 | -600 |
| Decatur MSA | 49,400 | 49,900 | -500 |
| Elgin Metro Division | 257,200 | 257,100 | 100 |
| Kankakee MSA | 45,600 | 44,600 | 1,000 |
| Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 406,800 | 411,900 | -5,100 |
| Peoria MSA | 164,900 | 167,900 | -3,000 |
| Rockford MSA | 144,800 | 150,000 | -5,200 |
| Springfield MSA | 107,500 | 108,300 | -800 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 236,900 | 236,500 | 400 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,022,300 | 6,005,900 | 16,400 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
| Labor Market Area | Feb 2020 | Feb 2019 | Over the Year Change | |
| Carbondale-Marion MSA | 3.1 % | 4.7 % | -1.6 | |
| Jackson County | 2.8 % | 4.4 % | -1.6 | |
| Williamson County | 3.5 % | 5.0 % | -1.5 | |
| Surrounding Counties | ||||
| Alexander County | 5.0 % | 6.6 % | -1.6 | |
| Franklin County | 4.4 % | 6.3 % | -1.9 | |
| Johnson County | 5.2 % | 7.8 % | -2.6 | |
| Massac County | 4.3 % | 6.3 % | -2.0 | |
| Perry County | 3.8 % | 5.8 % | -2.0 | |
| Pulaski County | 6.1 % | 8.6 % | -2.5 | |
| Randolph County | 3.0 % | 4.3 % | -1.3 | |
| Union County | 5.2 % | 7.6 % | -2.4 | |
| Harrisburg Area | ||||
| Gallatin County | 4.6 % | 5.6 % | -1.0 | |
| Hamilton County | 3.2 % | 5.0 % | -1.8 | |
| Hardin County | 5.6 % | 7.4 % | -1.8 | |
| Pope County | 4.3 % | 6.2 % | -1.9 | |
| Saline County | 4.5 % | 6.2 % | -1.7 | |
| White County | 3.1 % | 4.4 % | -1.3 | |
| Olney - Mt. Carmel Area | ||||
| Edwards County | 4.2 % | 4.9 % | -0.7 | |
| Lawrence County | 4.1 % | 6.1 % | -2.0 | |
| Richland County | 3.3 % | 4.8 % | -1.5 | |
| Wabash County | 2.9 % | 4.8 % | -1.9 | |
| Wayne County | 3.8 % | 5.8 % | -2.0 | |
| Other Areas | ||||
| LWIA 23 | 3.3 % | 5.0 % | -1.7 | |
| LWIA 24 | 3.1 % | 4.7 % | -1.6 | |
| LWIA 25 | 3.5 % | 5.1 % | -1.6 | |
| LWIA 26 | 4.2 % | 6.1 % | -1.9 | |
| Southern EDR | 3.7 % | 5.5 % | -1.8 | |
Southern Illinois Highlights
Carbondale - Marion Area
The February 2020 unemployment rate decreased to 3.1 percent, a decline of (-1.6) from the February 2019 rate of 4.7 percent. This is the lowest February unemployment rate on record for the Carbondale-Marion MSA. Non-farm employment in February 2020 decreased by -400 compared to last February.
Employment losses were posted in Government (-100).
Surrounding Counties
Non-farm employment increased by +250 compared to last February.
Employment gains were posted in Leisure and Hospitality (+150), Educational and Health Services (+125), Construction (+75) and Manufacturing (+75).
February non-farm employment posted declines in Professional and Business Services (-100), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-75), and Government (-25) compared to February 2019. No payroll changes were reported in Information and Other Services.
Harrisburg Area
Non-farm employment decreased by (-200) over the year.
Employment gains were posted in Educational and Health Services (+175), Financial Activities (+25) and Professional & Business Services (+25).
Employment declined in Construction (-200), Trade, Transportation, & Utilities (-175), Government (-50), and Other Services (-25).
Payrolls were unchanged in Natural Resources and Mining, Manufacturing, Information and Leisure and Hospitality.
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area
Non-farm employment increased by +200 over the year.
Employment gains were posted in Government (+100), and Educational & Health Services (+100). Slight employment gains were posted in Trade, Transportation & Utilities, Leisure and Hospitality, Natural Resources and Mining, and Information.
Employment declined in Manufacturing (-100), and Construction (-25).
Payrolls were unchanged in Financial Activities, Professional and Business Services, and Other Services
Note: Monthly 2019 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2020, 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.
Original source can be found here.
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