Tuesday, May 10, 2011
 
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Local unemployment continues to fall across the state

Year-over-year declines in every county for 3rd consecutive month

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[May 10, 2011]  CHICAGO -- The February unemployment rate fell in every county in Illinois for an unprecedented third consecutive month, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The data set began in 1976.

Unemployment rates also fell in every metropolitan area for a record sixth consecutive month. That has not occurred since 1984. The largest declines were in Rockford, down 4.2 points to 13.6 percent; Danville, down 3.5 points to 11.2 percent; and Peoria, down 3.3 points to 9.6 percent. The Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area unemployment rate fell 2.2 points to 9.0 percent.

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates

Metropolitan area

Feb. 2011*

Feb. 2010

Bloomington-Normal

7.4%

9.1%

Champaign-Urbana

8.4%

10.5%

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville

9.0%

11.2%

Danville

11.2%

14.7%

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island

8.4%

10.3%

Decatur

11.2%

14.0%

Kankakee-Bradley

13.1%

15.8%

Lake-Kenosha,
Ill.-Wis.

10.6%

13.1%

Peoria

9.6%

12.9%

Rockford

13.6%

17.8%

Springfield

8.1%

9.7%

St. Louis (Ill. section)

10.0%

12.1%

* Data subject to revision.

Over the year, total payroll jobs increased in nine metropolitan areas, decreased in one and were flat in two. The largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were in Peoria, up 2.9 percent and 4,900 jobs; Decatur, up 1.4 percent and 700 jobs; the Quad Cities, up 1.3 percent and 2,200 jobs; and the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area, up 1.1 percent and 39,400 jobs. (See table below.)

The major industries that led job growth were educational and health services, manufacturing, and professional and business services.

"The record-setting declines in the unemployment rate shares the story of a growing Illinois economy as much as it reflects the breadth and depth of the national recession," IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said. "Even though the employment rate could tick up in the coming months as the growing economy encourages others to re-energize their job search, the trend shows our outlook is improving and Illinois is moving in the right direction."

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The not seasonally adjusted data compares February 2011 with February 2010. The February 2011 not seasonally adjusted state rate was 9.4 percent, and it was 12.1 percent at its peak in this economic cycle, in January 2010. Nationally, the rate was 9.5 percent in February and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work. People ineligible for unemployment benefits will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they continue to look for work.

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


Total nonfarm jobs (not seasonally adjusted) -- February 2011

Metropolitan area

February 2011*

February 2010**

Over-the-year change

Bloomington-Normal MSA

90,600

90,300

300

Champaign-Urbana MSA

107,400

108,800

-1,400

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville
Metro Div.

3,568,800

3,529,400

39,400

Danville MSA

28,400

28,500

-100

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

175,800

173,600

2,200

Decatur MSA

51,400

50,700

700

Kankakee-Bradley MSA

42,300

41,900

400

Lake County-Kenosha County
Metro Div.

363,000

362,900

100

Peoria MSA

175,900

171,000

4,900

Rockford MSA

142,100

141,500

600

Springfield MSA

109,600

108,400

1,200

Illinois section of St. Louis MSA

229,400

228,800

600

 

*Preliminary

**Revised

 

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