SPRINGFIELD –The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in May in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, with six metro areas at record low payrolls, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Data also shows that the unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas to record highs for the month of May. The official, BLS-approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.
“Illinois’ transition into Phase 4 of the Reopen Illinois Plan is another positive step toward the recovery of our state and local economies,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “We will continue to closely monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and make necessary adjustments to ensure the health and safety of our citizens while continuing to provide families and small businesses the resources they need for recovery.”
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Data shows the number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-16.7%, -28,800), Decatur (-14.7%, -7,600) and Elgin (-14.5%, -38,500). Jobs were down -12.0% (-455,200) in Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights. Job losses occurred across all industries and there were no industry sectors that recorded job growth in a majority of metro areas.
Not seasonally adjusted data compares May 2020 with May 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 14.7 percent in May 2020, a record high for the month of May, dating back to 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 13.0 percent in May 2020, also a record high, dating back to 1948. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area | May 2020* | May 2019** | Over-the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 10.9% | 3.2% | 7.7 |
Carbondale-Marion | 15.0% | 3.4% | 11.6 |
Champaign-Urbana | 10.0% | 3.2% | 6.8 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights | 15.4% | 3.3% | 12.1 |
Danville | 14.8% | 4.2% | 10.6 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | 14.1% | 3.5% | 10.6 |
Decatur | 14.8% | 4.3% | 10.5 |
Elgin | 14.7% | 3.5% | 11.2 |
Kankakee | 13.3% | 4.0% | 9.3 |
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 12.9% | 3.3% | 9.6 |
Peoria | 15.2% | 3.8% | 11.4 |
Rockford | 19.3% | 5.1% | 14.2 |
Springfield | 13.0% | 3.3% | 9.7 |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 13.3% | 3.4% | 9.9 |
Illinois Statewide | 14.7% | 3.5% | 11.2 |
* Preliminary I ** Revised |
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – May 2020
Metropolitan Area | May | May | Over-the-Year |
2020* | 2019** | Change | |
Bloomington MSA | 83,000 | 92,900 | -9,900 |
Carbondale-Marion MSA | 52,500 | 58,100 | -5,600 |
Champaign-Urbana MSA | 105,200 | 115,400 | -10,200 |
Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metro Division | 3,351,900 | 3,807,100 | -455,200 |
Danville MSA | 25,000 | 27,300 | -2,300 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 168,600 | 188,800 | -20,200 |
Decatur MSA | 44,000 | 51,600 | -7,600 |
Elgin Metro Division | 226,500 | 265,000 | -38,500 |
Kankakee MSA | 43,400 | 45,800 | -2,400 |
Lake-County-Kenosha County Metro Division | 373,700 | 424,800 | -51,100 |
Peoria MSA | 143,800 | 172,600 | -28,800 |
Rockford MSA | Article continues after sponsor message
131,000 | 151,100 | -20,100 |
Springfield MSA | 97,700 | 111,000 | -13,300 |
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 227,200 | 243,300 | -16,100 |
Illinois Statewide | 5,419,700 | 6,158,200 | -738,500 |
*Preliminary | **Revised |
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
(percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | May 2020 | May 2019 | Over the Year Change | |
St. Louis (IL-Section) | 13.3 % | 3.4 % | 9.9 | |
Bond County | 12.1 % | 3.0 % | 9.1 | |
Calhoun County | 13.8 % | 4.1 % | 9.7 | |
Clinton County | 11.0 % | 2.5 % | 8.5 | |
Jersey County | 12.9 % | 3.9 % | 9.0 | |
Macoupin County | 11.3 % | 3.4 % | 7.9 | |
Madison County | 13.2 % | 3.3 % | 9.9 | |
Monroe County | 9.9 % | 2.5 % | 7.4 | |
St. Clair County | 14.7 % | 3.8 % | 10.9 | |
Cities | ||||
Alton City | 16.9 % | 4.9 % | 12.0 | |
Belleville City | 16.4 % | 3.9 % | 12.5 | |
Collinsville City | 15.1 % | 3.3 % | 11.8 | |
East St. Louis City | 18.0 % | 6.1 % | 11.9 | |
Edwardsville City | 10.2 % | 2.5 % | 7.7 | |
Granite City | 14.2 % | 4.1 % | 10.1 | |
O'Fallon City | 14.2 % | 3.2 % | 11.0 | |
Counties | ||||
Greene County | 9.4 % | 3.6 % | 5.8 | |
Randolph County | 13.4 % | 3.0 % | 10.4 | |
Washington County | 12.7 % | 1.9 % | 10.8 | |
Other Areas | ||||
LWIA 21 | 11.0 % | 3.5 % | 7.5 | |
LWIA 22 | 13.1 % | 3.3 % | 9.8 | |
LWIA 24 | 13.7 % | 3.4 % | 10.3 | |
Southwestern EDR | 13.4 % | 3.3 % | 10.1 |
Metro East Highlights
The May 2020 unemployment rate for the Illinois Section of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area was 13.3 percent, an increase of +9.9 percentage points from the May 2019 rate of 3.4 percent. The data is not seasonally adjusted.
The labor force decreased by -17,724 to 326,666 in May 2020 from 344,390 in May 2019. The number of employed individuals decreased by -49,431 to 283,232 in May 2020 from 332,663 in May 2019. In May 2020, there were 43,434 unemployed people in the labor force. This is an increase of +31,707 compared to the May 2019 total unemployed, 11,727.
Nonfarm payrolls decreased in May 2020 by -16,100 compared to May 2019.
May nonfarm employment increased in Government (+400), Natural Resources and Mining (+50), and Construction (+25).
Decreases in employment over the year included Leisure and Hospitality (-6,425), Educational and Health Services (-3,550), Manufacturing (-3,025) Other Services (-1,525), Professional and Business Services (-1,025), Financial Activities (-550), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (-225), and Information (-275).
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