News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Illinois Metro Unemployment Rates Drop; Job Growth Stalls
March was the thirteenth month in a row that unemployment rates fell in every metro area in the state compared to a year ago, according to preliminary data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

March was the thirteenth month in a row that unemployment rates fell in every metro area in the state compared to a year ago, according to preliminary data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  Rates also fell in all 102 counties for the twelfth consecutive month and the thirteenth time out of the past fifteen months.  Not seasonally adjusted data compares March 2015 with March 2014.
 
Illinois businesses added jobs in eight metros. The largest increases were seen in: Kankakee (+2.3 percent, +1,000), Rockford (+2.1 percent, +3,100) and Danville (+2.1 percent, +600).  Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division rose (+1.5 percent, +52,100). Decreases were seen in: Decatur (-1.6 percent, -800), Carbondale-Marion (-1.5 percent, -800) and Bloomington (-0.6 percent, -600).  The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were Retail Trade (9 of 14), Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (9 of 14), Education and Health Services (8 of 14) and Leisure and Hospitality (8 of 14).
 
“It appears that the decline in the number of unemployed people has translated directly to the decline in the overall labor force both locally and statewide.” IDES Director Jeff Mays said. “This is very troubling and merits more study.”
 
The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.3 percent in March 2015 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010.  Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.6 percent in March and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak.  The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not tied to collecting unemployment insurance benefits.



Southern Illinois Highlights
 
The unemployment declined to 6.1 percent in March 2015 from 8.0 percent in March 2014 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). Unemployment decreased in all 21 counties in Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Overall, labor market conditions have steadily improved during the past year in Southern Illinois. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

Employment gains were reported in Retail Trade, Professional-Business Services and Health Care. Payroll advances also occurred in Transportation and Leisure-Hospitality. Construction activity increased as favorable weather conditions prevailed.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care and Transportation in the first quarter of 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Sales, and Management occupations. Career prospects were also available in Education, Food Service, Production, 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.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area Mar. 2015 Mar. 2014 Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington 4.7% 6.4% -1.7
Carbondale-Marion 6.1% 8.0% -1.9
Champaign-Urbana 4.8% 6.7% -1.9
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights 6.4% 8.1% -1.7
Danville 6.9% 10.0% -3.1
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 5.8% 7.0% -1.2
Decatur 7.0% 10.2% -3.2
Elgin 6.0% 8.4% -2.4
Kankakee 6.9% 9.7% -2.8
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI 5.8% 7.9% -2.1
Peoria 6.3% 8.4% -2.1
Rockford 6.8% 9.7% -2.9
Springfield 5.3% 6.9% -1.6
St. Louis (IL-Section) 6.0% 8.2% -2.2
Illinois Statewide 6.3% 8.1% -1.8
* Data subject to revision.      
























 
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted)  - March 2015
Metropolitan Area March
2015*
March
2014**
Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA 93,600 94,200 -600
Carbondale-Marion MSA 53,500 54,300 -800
Champaign-Urbana MSA 109,500 107,600 1,900
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Div. 3,568,500 3,516,400 52,100
Danville MSA 29,400 28,800 600
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA 180,400 180,700 -300
Decatur MSA 49,500 50,300 -800
Elgin Metro Division 247,300 243,900 3,400
Kankakee MSA 45,000 44,000 1,000
Lake County-Kenosha County IL-WI Metro Div. 393,000 388,700 4,300
Peoria MSA 175,700 176,300 -600
Rockford MSA 149,700 146,600 3,100
Springfield MSA 110,000 109,500 500
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA 228,400 228,700 -300
Illinois Statewide 5,840,300 5,775,000 65,300
                  *Preliminary    **Revised
 

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

 
  March
2015
March
2014
Over-the-Year Change
Carbondale-Marion MSA 6.1% 8.0% -1.9
Jackson County 5.7% 7.4% -1.7
Williamson County 6.5% 8.5% -2.0
Other Area Counties      
Alexander County 8.0% 12.0% -4.0
Franklin County 7.8% 10.7% -2.9
Johnson County 8.7% 11.1% -2.4
Massac County 6.8% 8.3% -1.5
Perry County 7.2% 9.8% -2.6
Pulaski County 8.0% 11.3% -3.3
Randolph County 5.3% 7.5% -2.2
Union County 8.2% 10.7% -2.5
Harrisburg Area      
Gallatin County 6.2% 8.2% -2.0
Hamilton County 5.6% 7.1% -1.5
Hardin County 7.1% 9.6% -2.5
Pope County 5.8% 8.4% -2.6
Saline County 6.6% 9.5% -2.9
White County 5.6% 7.0% -1.4
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area      
Edwards County 6.5% 8.6% -2.1
Lawrence County 6.5% 8.5% -2.0
Richland County 6.3% 7.5% -1.2
Wabash County 5.6% 7.1% -1.5
Wayne County 6.9% 7.7% -0.8
 

Note:
  • Monthly 2014 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February 2015, as required by the U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (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.


 

Published: 04/23/15