Illinois unemployment numbers worst in 2 decades

[September 26, 2008]  CHICAGO -- According to data released by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security, unemployment rates in all 12 metropolitan areas in Illinois posted over-the-year increases in August. Five metropolitan areas recorded their highest August unemployment rates since 1990: Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, Kankakee-Bradley, Lake-Kenosha and Springfield. Over the year, total payroll jobs increased in five metropolitan areas, remained stable in one and decreased in six. The largest percentage increases in total jobs were reported in Peoria (+0.8, +1,500), Kankakee-Bradley (+0.7, +300), Bloomington-Normal (+0.6, +500) and Lake-Kenosha (+0.6, +2,600).

"Although employer hiring has expanded moderately or remained stable, and despite the relative strength and diversity of Illinois' regional economies, it is clear that the national economic instability is poorly affecting employment in areas throughout the state. The employment situation underscores the need for a jobs plan that can help put Illinoisans to work," said Maureen O'Donnell, director of the Department of Employment Security.

(See tables below.)

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

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Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Metropolitan Area	August 2008*	August 2007
Bloomington-Normal	5.8%	4.3%
Champaign-Urbana	6.6%	4.9%
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet	7.1%	5.0%
Danville	8.9%	7.1%
Davenport-Moline-Rock Isl.	5.5%	4.3%
Decatur	8.3%	6.5%
Kankakee-Bradley	9.1%	6.6%
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI	6.9%	5.1%
Peoria	6.3%	4.8%
Rockford	9.5%	6.4%
Springfield	6.6%	5.0%
St. Louis (IL-Section)	7.6%	6.0%
*  Data subject to revision.

 

Total Non-Farm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – August 2008

Metropolitan Area	August 2008*	August 2007**	Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington-Normal MSA	90,300	89,800	500
Champaign-Urbana MSA	107,700	108,300	-600
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro Div.	3,899,500	3,907,500	-8,000
Danville MSA	31,200	31,100	100
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA	190,900	191,000	-100
Decatur MSA	55,500	55,500	0
Kankakee-Bradley MSA	44,900	44,600	300
Lake County-Kenosha County Metro Div.	406,600	404,000	2,600
Peoria MSA	189,900	188,400	1,500
Rockford MSA	162,000	162,200	-200
Springfield MSA	114,500	115,200	-700
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA	235,600	236,600	-1,000
	*Preliminary    **Revised