Friday, June 25, 2010
 
sponsored by

State unemployment rates improve in 5th consecutive month

Send a link to a friend

[June 25, 2010]  CHICAGO -- In May, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased over the year in nine metro areas and fell in three, according to data released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. It is the first time in three years Illinois can report declining over-the-year unemployment rates in some metro areas.

HardwareThe three decreases for May 2010 compared with May 2009 were in Rockford, down 0.4 point to 13.9 percent; Peoria, down 0.1 point to 9.3 percent; and Metro East, down 0.1 point to 9.1 percent.

"For the first time in three years, Illinois has declining over-the-year unemployment rates in some metro areas," said Maureen O'Donnell, director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security. "Improving state and metro data shows the state's local economies are stabilizing and moving to address the harm caused by a prolonged national recession."

The Chicago metro area unemployment rate, at 10.4 percent, increased just 0.1 point from May 2009 to May 2010. The over-the-year increase has been significantly smaller in each of the five months so far this year.

Total payroll jobs declined over the year in 10 of the 12 metro areas and increased in two. The over-the-year increases in total nonfarm jobs were in Kankakee-Bradley, up 0.7 percent, 300 jobs, and Rockford, up 0.4 percent, 600 jobs.

So far this year, Illinois has added 70,000 jobs, more than any other state in the Midwest.

The May 2010 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 10.0 percent in Illinois and 9.3 percent in the United States.

Not seasonally adjusted figures compare the current month with same month of the previous year and should not be compared to seasonally adjusted figures.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for a job regardless if they are eligible for unemployment insurance. Individuals not collecting unemployment benefits still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they continue to look for work.

Central Illinois highlights

Bloomington-Normal Metropolitan Statistical Area -- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 6.4 percent in May 2009 to 6.9 percent in May 2010. Over the last few months the over-the-year change in the unemployment rate has been declining. Still, it is the highest May rate since May 1983, when it was 8.1 percent. The nonfarm payroll jobs total was 900 less than in May 2009. Job losses were reported in manufacturing, down 700, and professional-business services, down 700. Government jobs increased by 300.

Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area -- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 9.4 percent in May 2009 to 9.3 percent in May 2010. Over the last few months the over-the-year change in the unemployment rate has been declining. Compared with May 2009, total nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 2,200, with the largest employment declines in manufacturing, down 1,200; retail trade, down 700; and leisure-hospitality, down 700. Jobs in education-health services were up 500.

Ottawa-Streator area -- The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased from 10.4 percent in May 2009 to 11.6 percent in May 2010. Nonfarm payroll employment was down 1,750. Job declines occurred in manufacturing, down 525; leisure-hospitality, down 425; and retail trade, 300. Government was up 300.

Pontiac area -- The May 2010 not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 9.4 percent was unchanged from May 2009. Nonfarm employment fell by 500, with the largest losses reported by leisure-hospitality, down 200; construction, down 150; and government, down 150.

[to top of second column]

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates

Metropolitan area

May 2010*

May 2009

Bloomington-Normal

6.9%

6.4%

Champaign-Urbana

7.8%

7.3%

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville

10.4%

10.3%

Danville

11.1%

10.5%

Davenport-Moline-
Rock Island

7.8%

7.3%

Decatur

10.9%

10.3%

Kankakee-Bradley

11.7%

10.9%

Lake-Kenosha, Ill.-Wis.

9.5%

9.0%

Peoria

9.3%

9.4%

Rockford

13.9%

14.3%

Springfield

7.1%

6.5%

St. Louis (Illinois section)

9.1%

9.2%

* Data subject to revision.

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates (percent) for local counties and areas

Labor market areas

May '10

May '09

Bloomington-Normal

   

McLean County

6.9%

6.4%

Peoria MSA

   

Marshall County

8.1%

9.5%

Peoria County

9.8%

10.1%

Stark County

10.2%

9.2%

Tazewell County

9.3%

9.3%

Woodford County

7.1%

6.9%

Ottawa-Streator area

11.6%

10.4%

Bureau County

9.6%

9.0%

LaSalle County

12.2%

10.7%

Putnam County

10.5%

12.2%

Galesburg area

8.2%

7.9%

Knox County

8.7%

8.5%

Warren County

6.9%

6.3%

Cities

   

Bloomington

7.2%

6.8%

Galesburg

9.4%

8.9%

Normal

6.6%

5.9%

Pekin

11.5%

11.2%

Peoria

10.4%

10.6%

Counties

   

DeWitt

8.3%

7.9%

Fulton

10.4%

9.8%

Henderson

9.7%

7.8%

Henry

8.7%

8.1%

Livingston

9.4%

9.4%

Logan

8.4%

8.2%

Mason

11.4%

10.5%

Also see table below: Total nonfarm jobs (not seasonally adjusted) -- May 2010

Note: Monthly 2009 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in March 2010 as required by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

[Text from Illinois Department of Employment Security file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]


Total nonfarm jobs (not seasonally adjusted) -- May 2010

Metropolitan area

May 2010*

May 2009**

Over-the-year change

Bloomington-Normal MSA

89,200

90,100

-900

Champaign-Urbana MSA

112,200

112,800

-600

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Metro Division

3,609,300

3,670,800

-61,500

Danville MSA

29,600

29,900

-300

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

180,500

181,500

-1,000

Decatur MSA

51,500

53,500

-2,000

Kankakee-Bradley MSA

43,400

43,100

300

Lake County-Kenosha County Metro Division

373,400

385,300

-11,900

Peoria MSA

177,100

179,300

-2,200

Rockford MSA

145,100

144,500

600

Springfield MSA

110,100

112,000

-1,900

Illinois section of St. Louis MSA

235,100

239,600

-4,500

 

*Preliminary

**Revised

 

[Table copied from Illinois Department of Employment Security file]

< Top Stories index

Back to top


 

News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching and Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries

Community | Perspectives | Law and Courts | Leisure Time | Spiritual Life | Health and Fitness | Teen Scene
Calendar | Letters to the Editor