Wednesday, March 17, 2010
 
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National economy dampens Illinois hiring

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[March 17, 2010]  CHICAGO -- In January 2010, unemployment rates were above previous-year levels in all 12 metro areas for the 32nd consecutive month, according to data released Tuesday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Metro areas that reported the largest increases compared with January 2009 were Rockford, up 5.8 points to 19.7 percent; Peoria, up 5.5 points to 13 percent; and Decatur, up 5.2 points to 14.4 percent.

HardwareTotal payroll jobs decreased over the year in 11 of the 12 metro areas. The largest percentage decreases in jobs were reported in Peoria, down 6.5 percent, or 11,900; Decatur, down 5.9 percent or 3,200; and Rockford, down 5.9 percent, or 8,600.

Figures not seasonally adjusted compare the current month with same month of the previous year and should not be compared with seasonally adjusted figures. The January 2010 unemployment rate not seasonally adjusted was 12.2 percent in Illinois and 10.6 percent for the nation.

Monthly labor force data is revised each February to meet requirements set by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Therefore, previous data, analysis and comments should be discarded because they might no longer be valid.

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

"Although this preliminary data is subject to revision, there can be no doubt that the national recession continues to pressure job markets in communities throughout our state," IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell said. "Economic downturns of this magnitude most likely will show job growth on a national level before sustained positive progress is evident here at home."

North central Illinois highlights

Bloomington-Normal Metropolitan Statistical Area -- The unemployment rate increased from 6.2 percent in January 2009 to 9.5 percent in January 2010. That is the highest January on record. The previous January high was 9.4 percent in 1983. At the same time, the area's unemployment rate remains the lowest of all metro areas in the state and the only metro area that did not have a double-digit rate. Compared with January 2009, total non-farm payroll jobs declined by 2,000. The largest employment drop was reported in manufacturing, down 1,300.

Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area -- The unemployment rate increased from 7.5 percent in January 2009 to 13.0 percent in January 2010. The area reported its highest January rate since 1984, when it was 14.4 percent. The non-farm payroll jobs total was 11,900 less than in January 2009. The greatest job losses were in manufacturing, down 6,500, and professional-business services, down 2,200.

Ottawa-Streator area -- The unemployment rate increased from 10.7 percent in January 2009 to 16.5 percent in January 2010. Since January 2009, there has been a loss of 3,125 non-farm payroll jobs. The largest job declines were in manufacturing, down 850; construction, down 600; and leisure-hospitality, 425.

Pontiac area -- The unemployment rate increased from 8.7 percent in January 2009 to 13.8 percent in January 2010. Over the year, total non-farm employment declined by 1,275. Manufacturing, down 675, reported the largest employment drop.

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Metropolitan area

Jan. 2010*

Jan. 2009

Bloomington-Normal

9.5%

6.2%

Champaign-Urbana

11.0%

7.1%

Chicago-Naperville-Joliet

11.6%

8.4%

Danville

15.0%

10.6%

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island

10.7%

7.1%

Decatur

14.4%

9.2%

Kankakee-Bradley

16.0%

11.6%

Lake-Kenosha, Ill.-Wis.

13.1%

9.1%

Peoria

13.0%

7.5%

Rockford

19.7%

13.9%

Springfield

10.0%

6.8%

St. Louis (Ill. section)

12.6%

9.9%

* Data subject to revision

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

Labor market areas

Jan. '10

Jan. '09

Bloomington-Normal

   

McLean County

9.5%

6.2%

Peoria MSA

   

Marshall County

13.5%

7.3%

Peoria County

13.4%

7.9%

Stark County

12.9%

8.4%

Tazewell County

12.9%

7.4%

Woodford County

10.9%

6.0%

Ottawa-Streator area

16.5%

10.7%

Bureau County

15.5%

9.2%

LaSalle County

16.9%

11.1%

Putnam County

15.9%

12.1%

Galesburg area

12.1%

7.8%

Knox County

12.5%

8.1%

Warren County

11.0%

6.7%

Cities

   

Bloomington

9.9%

6.4%

Galesburg

12.9%

8.7%

Normal

8.9%

5.5%

Pekin

15.8%

9.0%

Peoria

13.3%

7.9%

Counties

   

DeWitt

11.8%

8.3%

Fulton

14.7%

9.0%

Henderson

13.9%

11.1%

Henry

12.6%

8.7%

Livingston

13.8%

8.7%

Logan

12.1%

7.9%

Mason

16.9%

10.3%

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(See additional table below.)

Note: Monthly 2009 unemployment rates and total non-farm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in March 2010, as required by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded because any analysis, including records, previously cited might no longer be valid under the new 2009 monthly series.

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


Total non-farm jobs (not seasonally adjusted) -- January 2010

Metropolitan area

January
2010*

January
2009**

Over-the-year change

Bloomington-Normal MSA

85,800

87,800

-2,000

Champaign-Urbana MSA

103,500

109,800

-6,300

Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro Div.

3,521,700

3,671,600

-149,900

Danville MSA

28,900

29,900

-1,000

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

174,200

181,200

-7,000

Decatur MSA

51,000

54,200

-3,200

Kankakee-Bradley MSA

42,700

42,500

200

Lake County-Kenosha County Metro Div.

364,100

379,200

-15,100

Peoria MSA

171,300

183,200

-11,900

Rockford MSA

137,600

146,200

-8,600

Springfield MSA

108,100

109,600

-1,500

Illinois section of St. Louis MSA

225,700

232,400

-6,700

 

*Preliminary

**Revised

 

[Table copied from Illinois Department of Employment Security file]

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