News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Unemployment Rates up in Most Metro Areas
Unemployment rates increased in 12 metro areas, decreased in one and was unchanged in one. Eight metro areas across the state saw job loss 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). Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2015 with November 2014.

Unemployment rates increased in 12 metro areas, decreased in one and was unchanged in one. Eight metro areas across the state saw job loss 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).  Not seasonally adjusted data compares November 2015 with November 2014.
 
Illinois businesses lost jobs in eight metro areas including Carbondale-Marion (-1.8 percent, -1,000), Quad Cities (-1.7 percent, -3,200), and Lake-Kenosha (-1.5 percent, -6,300).  Illinois businesses added jobs in six metros, in which the largest increases were seen in: Elgin (+2.0 percent, +5,000), Champaign-Urbana (+1.5 percent, +1,700), Danville (+1.4 percent, +400), and Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+1.3 percent or +46,900).  The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were: Transportation, Warehousing and Public Utilities (nine of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (eight of 14), and Education and Health Services (eight of 14).
 
“While the increase in unemployment rates will garner most of the headlines, more troubling is Illinois’ extremely low employment growth rate this past year,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Out of 102 counties in Illinois, 96 remain below their pre-recession 2007 peak employment levels.”
 
The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.8 percent in November 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 4.8 percent in November 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 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.9 percent in November 2015 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties).  In November 2014, the jobless rate was 6.3 percent. Unemployment increased throughout Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago.

Over the year, employment gains were reported in Retail Trade and Transportation. Health Care Services continued to add workers. Payroll advances were also reported in Professional-Business Services and Wholesale Trade. Seasonal layoffs in Construction began in November 2015. Mining, Financial Services, Leisure-Hospitality, and Government payrolls declined compared to one year ago.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in November 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Management and Production occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Food Service, Business and Finance, Social Services, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupations. Workers were also needed for Computer and Engineering 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.


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. 


Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area November 2015 November 2014 Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington 5.4% 5.0% 0.4
Carbondale-Marion 6.9% 6.3% 0.6
Champaign-Urbana 5.7% 5.3% 0.4
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights 5.2% 5.8% -0.6
Danville 7.7% 7.3% 0.4
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 5.8% 5.8% 0.0
Decatur 7.6% 7.4% 0.2
Elgin 6.1% 5.9% 0.2
Kankakee 7.2% 6.9% 0.3
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI 5.6% 5.5% 0.1
Peoria 7.1% 6.3% 0.8
Rockford 7.5% 7.2% 0.3
Springfield 5.7% 5.5% 0.2
St. Louis (IL-Section) 6.7% 6.5% 0.2
Illinois Statewide 5.8% 6.0% -0.2
* Data subject to revision.      

























 

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – November 2015

Metropolitan Area November
2015*
November
2014**
Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA 96,400 95,500 900
Carbondale-Marion MSA 55,100 56,100 -1,000
Champaign-Urbana MSA 111,800 110,100 1,700
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division 3,672,800 3,625,900 46,900
Danville MSA 29,800 29,400 400
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA 181,400 184,600 -3,200
Decatur MSA 51,000 51,600 -600
Elgin Metro Division 260,000 255,000 5,000
Kankakee MSA 45,900 46,100 -200
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division 400,200 406,500 -6,300
Peoria MSA 179,600 180,100 -500
Rockford MSA 152,300 152,600 -300
Springfield MSA 113,500 112,100 1,400
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA 230,900 232,000 -1,100
Illinois Statewide 5,989,600 5,953,900 35,700
                  *Preliminary    **Revised


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

 
  Nov.
2015
Nov.
2014
Over-the-Year Change
Carbondale-Marion MSA 6.9% 6.3% 0.6
Jackson County 6.5% 6.0% 0.5
Williamson County 7.2% 6.6% 0.6
Other Area Counties      
Alexander County 9.0% 8.9% 0.1
Franklin County 9.2% 8.4% 0.8
Johnson County 9.2% 8.7% 0.5
Massac County 7.6% 7.3% 0.3
Perry County 7.9% 7.6% 0.3
Pulaski County 9.9% 8.9% 1.0
Randolph County 6.1% 5.9% 0.2
Union County 8.8% 7.6% 1.2
Harrisburg Area      
Gallatin County 7.9% 7.1% 0.8
Hamilton County 5.7% 5.2% 0.5
Hardin County 8.6% 7.7% 0.9
Pope County 7.2% 6.9% 0.3
Saline County 8.5% 7.2% 1.3
White County 6.6% 5.4% 1.2
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area      
Edwards County 6.3% 5.4% 0.9
Lawrence County 7.2% 6.4% 0.8
Richland County 7.0% 6.2% 0.8
Wabash County 6.0% 5.2% 0.8
Wayne County 7.1% 6.3% 0.8


Published: 12/23/15