| Unemployment Falls in All Metros for Seventh Consecutive Month October unemployment rates fell in every metro area for the seventh consecutive month and most are at six or seven year lows, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The rate also fell in 101 counties and was unchanged in Mercer County.
October unemployment rates fell in every metro area for the seventh consecutive month and most are at six or seven year lows, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The rate also fell in 101 counties and was unchanged in Mercer County. “October’s data reflect a strengthening of local economies. In each area, more people describe themselves as working and employers in most metros report larger payrolls than one year ago,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “IllinoisJobLink.com remains an important tool to find employment, especially for those who typically did not need a resume.” Illinois employers added jobs in seven metros: Champaign-Urbana (+1.5 percent, +1,600), Lake County-Kenosha County (+1.5 percent, +6,100), Danville (+1.0 percent, +300) and Chicago-Joliet-Naperville (+0.8 percent, +30,200). Industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were Mining and Construction (eight of 12) and education and Health Services (seven of 12). Not seasonally adjusted data compare the current month to the same month of the previous year. The October 2014 not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.6 percent and 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 5.8 percent in September and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work. Historically, the state unemployment rate is higher than the national rate. Southern Illinois Highlights Unemployment decreased in each of the 21 counties in Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. The data is not seasonally adjusted. Workforce activity continued at a comparatively high level in October, 2014 in Southern Illinois. Favorable weather conditions enabled Construction projects on highways and commercial buildings to remain active. Retailers began hiring for the holiday season. Employment gains were reported in Wholesale Trade, Transportation, and Business-Professional Services. Payrolls remained at significant levels in Health Services and Leisure-Hospitality. Employment opportunities were available in Sales, Transportation and Health Care in the fall of 2014. Job openings were reported in Food Service, Office and Administrative Support, Management and Production occupations. Jobs also were available in Education and Training, Social Services and Installation, Maintenance and Repair Occupations. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work. The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development.
Total Non-farm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – October 2014
Historically, the Illinois unemployment rate is higher than the national rate. Only six times since January 2000 has the state rate been lower than the national rate. The data is seasonally adjusted and includes times of both economic expansion and contraction. Published: 12/01/14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||