News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Metro Area Unemployment Rates Continue Rising
Illinois jobs decreased in six metropolitan areas and unemployment rates increased in eleven regions, according to data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Illinois jobs decreased in six metropolitan areas and unemployment rates increased in eleven regions, according to data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).  The unemployment rate remained the same in three areas and one metro area saw no change in non farm jobs.  The not seasonally adjusted data compares over-the-year change from December 2015 with December 2014.
 
Illinois businesses lost jobs in areas including the Quad Cities (-2.4 percent, -4,500), Decatur (-1.8 percent, -900), Carbondale-Marion (-1.3 percent, -700), and Lake-Kenosha (-1.3 percent, -5,100).  Illinois businesses added jobs in seven metros including Elgin (+1.6 percent, +4,100), Champaign-Urbana (+0.8 percent, +900), Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division (+0.7 percent or +26,800), and Danville (+0.7 percent, +200). Two industries recorded job growth: Education and Health Services (nine sectors) and Leisure and Hospitality (eight sectors).
 
“Illinois took another hit on jobs and many metro areas continue to absorb these hits,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “Since the previous jobs peak in 2007, only three out of fourteen metro areas have regained the jobs lost during the recession.”
 
The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 5.9 percent in December 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 December 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 6.5 percent in December 2015 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). In December 2014, the jobless rate was 6.0 percent. Unemployment increased throughout Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago.

Over the year, employment advances were reported in Retail Trade and Transportation. Health Care Services continued to add workers. Payroll gains were also reported in Professional-Business Services and Wholesale Trade. Seasonal layoffs in Construction began in late fall of 2015. Mining, Financial Services, Information, and Government payrolls declined during 2015 in Southern Illinois.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales at the end of 2015. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Business and Finance, Engineering, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Workers were also needed for Production and Health Care Support occupations in December 2015.

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 December 2015 December 2014 Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington 5.4% 4.8% 0.6
Carbondale-Marion 6.5% 6.0% 0.5
Champaign-Urbana 5.4% 5.0% 0.4
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights 5.6% 5.6% 0.0
Danville 7.4% 7.0% 0.4
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 5.9% 5.9% 0.0
Decatur 7.4% 7.0% 0.4
Elgin 6.2% 6.0% 0.2
Kankakee 7.0% 6.8% 0.2
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI 5.8% 5.7% 0.1
Peoria 7.0% 6.2% 0.8
Rockford 7.2% 6.9% 0.3
Springfield 5.4% 5.3% 0.1
St. Louis (IL-Section) 6.1% 6.1% 0.0
Illinois Statewide 5.9% 5.8% 0.1
* Data subject to revision.      


 

























Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – December 2015

Metropolitan Area December
2015*
December
2014**
Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA 95,100 95,000 100
Carbondale-Marion MSA 54,500 55,200 -700
Champaign-Urbana MSA 110,600 109,700 900
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division 3,658,100 3,631,300 26,800
Danville MSA 29,700 29,500 200
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA 179,500 184,000 -4,500
Decatur MSA 50,300 51,200 -900
Elgin Metro Division 255,700 251,600 4,100
Kankakee MSA 45,700 45,700 0
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division 396,400 401,500 -5,100
Peoria MSA 178,700 178,400 300
Rockford MSA 152,000 152,300 -300
Springfield MSA 112,900 112,400 500
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA 230,500 231,400 -900
Illinois Statewide 5,949,700 5,951,300 -1,600
                  *Preliminary    **Revised
 
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

 
  Dec.
2015
Dec.
2014
Over-the-Year Change
Carbondale-Marion MSA 6.5% 6.0% 0.5
Jackson County 6.0% 5.7%
76.0%
0.3
Williamson County 6.9% 6.2% 0.7
Other Area Counties      
Alexander County 8.8% 8.8% 0.0
Franklin County 8.9% 7.9% 1.0
Johnson County 9.5% 8.4% 1.1
Massac County 7.0% 7.1% -0.1
Perry County 7.6% 7.1% 0.5
Pulaski County 9.4% 8.5% 0.9
Randolph County 5.7% 5.6% 0.1
Union County 9.0% 7.7% 1.3
Harrisburg Area      
Gallatin County 7.2% 6.4% 0.8
Hamilton County 5.6% 5.1% 0.5
Hardin County 7.9% 7.0% 0.9
Pope County 6.9% 6.8% 0.1
Saline County 8.3% 6.8% 1.5
White County 6.3% 4.8% 1.5
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area      
Edwards County 6.5% 5.9% 0.6
Lawrence County 7.1% 6.3% 0.8
Richland County 6.5% 5.9% 0.6
Wabash County 5.9% 5.1% 0.8
Wayne County 7.5% 6.0% 1.5


Published: 01/29/16