News Items - Greater Marion Area Chamber of Commerce
Unemployment Rates Increase in All Metro Areas
All metropolitan areas in Illinois experienced over the year unemployment rate increases for the second consecutive month, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

All metropolitan areas in Illinois experienced over the year unemployment rate increases for the second consecutive month, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

“Unemployment rates increased in more than half of the metro areas even though they experienced job growth,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “The increase in the unemployment rate was largely due to more people entering the labor force”

Illinois businesses added jobs in just eight metros, in which the largest increases were seen in: Lake-Kenosha (+2.5 percent, +9,900), Rockford (+2.4 percent, +3,600), and Elgin (+2.3, +5,600). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division increased (+1.8 percent or +65,500). Illinois businesses lost jobs in six metro areas including Bloomington (-2.3 percent, -2,200), Danville (-0.7 percent, -200), and the Quad Cities (-0.7 percent, -1,200). The industry sectors recording job growth in the majority of metros were: Education and Health Services (13 of 14), Leisure and Hospitality (11 of 14), Retail (10 of 14), Government (10 of 14), Mining and Construction (nine of 14), Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities (nine of 14), Professional and Business Services (nine of 14), and Other Services (eight of 14).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares March 2016 with March 2015. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 6.8 percent in March 2016 and stood at 12.2 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 5.1 percent in March 2016 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.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area March 2016 March 2015 Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington 6.0% 4.6% 1.4
Carbondale-Marion 7.0% 5.8% 1.2
Champaign-Urbana 5.8% 4.8% 1.0
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights 6.6% 6.0% 0.6
Danville 8.4% 6.8% 1.6
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL 6.5% 5.7% 0.8
Decatur 7.9% 6.9% 1.0
Elgin 6.8% 6.0% 0.8
Kankakee 7.7% 6.9% 0.8
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI 6.5% 5.8% 0.7
Peoria 7.7% 6.2% 1.5
Rockford 7.7% 6.8% 0.9
Springfield 6.0% 5.2% 0.8
St. Louis (IL-Section) 6.8% 5.9% 0.9
Illinois Statewide 6.8% 6.0% 0.8
* Data subject to revision.      
























 

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – March 2016

Metropolitan Area March
2016*		 March
2015**		 Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington MSA 93,200 95,400 -2,200
Carbondale-Marion MSA 56,900 57,000 -100
Champaign-Urbana MSA 111,100 108,900 2,200
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division 3,647,800 3,582,300 65,500
Danville MSA 29,300 29,500 -200
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA 179,600 180,800 -1,200
Decatur MSA 50,500 50,600 -100
Elgin Metro Division 253,600 248,000 5,600
Kankakee MSA 44,900 44,200 700
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division 401,400 391,500 9,900
Peoria MSA 176,000 176,200 -200
Rockford MSA 151,800 148,200 3,600
Springfield MSA 112,500 110,600 1,900
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA 235,000 231,900 3,100
Illinois Statewide 5,932,300 5,853,200 79,100
                  *Preliminary    **Revised

Southern Illinois Highlights
 
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.0 percent in March 2016 in the Carbondale-Marion Metropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson and Williamson Counties). In March 2015, the unemployment rate was 5.8 percent. Unemployment increased throughout Southern Illinois when compared to one year ago. Seasonal layoffs affected the workforce conditions in the first three months of 2016.

Over the year, employment advances were reported in Retail Trade and Health Care Services. Manufacturing and Wholesale Trade firms added workers. Payroll gains were also reported in Professional-Business Services and Financial Activities. As weather conditions improved, hiring increased for Construction and Leisure-Hospitality jobs. Mining and Government payrolls continued to decrease in Southern Illinois.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Transportation, and Sales in early spring 2016. Job openings were advertised in Office and Administrative Support, Management, and Food Preparation occupations. Career prospects were favorable in Social Services, Business and Financial, Education, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. Workers were also needed for Production, Health Care Support, and Building and Ground Maintenance.

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.  

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
 
  March
2016		 March
2015		 Over-the-Year Change
Carbondale-Marion MSA 7.0% 5.8% 1.2
Jackson County 6.4% 5.4%
76.0%		 1.0
Williamson County 7.5% 6.1% 1.4
Other Area Counties      
Alexander County 9.0% 8.0% 1.0
Franklin County 9.6% 7.7% 1.9
Johnson County 10.4% 8.5% 1.9
Massac County 7.9% 7.0% 0.9
Perry County 7.9% 7.0% 0.9
Pulaski County 10.6% 8.0% 2.6
Randolph County 5.9% 5.2% 0.7
Union County 9.5% 8.0% 1.5
Harrisburg Area      
Gallatin County 9.7% 6.0% 3.7
Hamilton County 7.7% 5.4% 2.3
Hardin County 9.3% 7.4% 1.9
Pope County 7.8% 6.0% 1.8
Saline County 10.2% 6.8% 3.4
White County 7.7% 5.7% 2.0
Olney - Mt. Carmel Area      
Edwards County 7.3% 6.4% 0.9
Lawrence County 8.1% 6.8% 1.3
Richland County 7.5% 5.9% 1.6
Wabash County 6.7% 5.6% 1.1
Wayne County 9.5% 6.9% 2.6
Note:
  • Monthly 2015 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2016, 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: 04/27/16