Local unemployment drops statewide for record 9th month

Illinois adds 107,700 jobs since January 2010, leads the Midwest

[June 24, 2011]  CHICAGO -- Year-over-year unemployment rates for May dropped in every metropolitan area in Illinois for an unprecedented ninth consecutive month, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. That had not previously occurred since this data set was first built in 1976.

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates

Metropolitan area	May 2011*	May 2010
Bloomington-Normal	5.9%	7.0%
Champaign-Urbana	6.9%	8.0%
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville	9.8%	10.4%
Danville	8.8%	11.5%
Davenport-Moline- Rock Island	6.6%	7.8%
Decatur	8.9%	11.0%
Kankakee-Bradley	9.9%	12.1%
Lake-Kenosha, Ill.-Wis.	8.0%	9.8%
Peoria	7.2%	9.4%
Rockford	10.7%	14.2%
Springfield	6.2%	7.2%
St. Louis (Illinois section)	7.6%	9.2%

* Data subject to revision.

The not seasonally adjusted data compares May 2011 with May 2010. The largest declines were in Rockford, down 3.5 points to 10.7 percent; Danville, down 2.7 points to 8.8 percent; Kankakee, down 2.2 points to 9.9 percent; and Peoria, down 2.2 points to 7.2 percent. The unemployment rate fell 0.6 of a point to 9.8 percent in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area.

"Across our state, every metropolitan area is experiencing lower unemployment than 12 months ago," said IDES Director Jay Rowell. "Over the past year, Illinois has gained in several areas, including manufacturing and transportation."

Over the year, total payroll jobs increased in seven metro areas, decreased in three and were unchanged in two. The largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were in Kankakee-Bradley, up 4.9 percent and 2,100 jobs; Peoria, up 3.0 percent and 5,300 jobs; and the Quad Cities, up 1.4 percent and 2,600 jobs. Total employment also was up in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area, with an increase of 0.5 percent and 19,100 jobs. Leading sectors were manufacturing (in nine areas) and educational and health services (in eight areas).

Since January 2010, Illinois has added 107,700 new jobs, the most in the Midwest.

Not seasonally adjusted data compares the current month with the same month of the previous year. The not seasonally adjusted state rate was 9.0 percent in May 2011 and 12.1 percent at its January 2010 peak in this economic cycle. Nationally, the rate was 8.7 percent in May and 10.6 percent at its peak in January 2010.

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

(See table of comparative statistics for total nonfarm jobs in various Illinois metropolitan areas in May 2011 and May 2010.)

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