Jobs Up, Unemployment Down in Majority of Metro Areas in September

Contact: Rebeca Cisco | 217-524-1219 | PDF Version

SPRINGFIELD - Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in nine metropolitan areas and decreased in five for the year ending September 2024, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate decreased in eight areas, increased in five, and was unchanged in one.

"An expanding labor market and job growth across the state continues to instill drive and motivation in workers and jobseekers searching for new employment opportunities," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "IDES remains a critical workforce resource providing essential employment and reemployment services to match individuals with the right employers eager to take advantage of the growing economy."

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Carbondale-Marion MSA (+1.9%, +1,100), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.0%, +1,300), and the Springfield MSA (+1.0%, +1,100). The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.3%, -2,300), the Danville MSA (-1.1%, -300), and the Peoria MSA (-1.1%, -1,900). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago Metropolitan Division were almost unchanged (0.0%, -700). Industries that saw job growth in most of the metro areas included Government (twelve areas) and Other Services (eleven areas).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Rockford MSA (-0.9 percentage point to 5.4%), the Decatur MSA (-0.3 percentage point to 5.9%), the Kankakee MSA (-0.3 percentage point to 5.5%) and the Lake County-Kenosha County, IL-WI Metro (-0.3 point to 4.2%). The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago Metro (+0.6 point to 5.2%), the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (+0.6 point to 5.4%), and the Danville MSA (+0.4 point to 6.3%). There was no unemployment rate change in the Carbondale-Marion MSA.