Tuesday, April 20, 2010
 
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National recession reflected in local unemployment figures

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[April 20, 2010]  CHICAGO -- In February, unemployment rates were above previous-year levels in all 12 metro areas for the 33rd consecutive month, according to data released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Metro areas that reported the largest increases compared with February 2009 were Decatur, up 4.5 points to 14.6 percent; Rockford, up 4.0 points to 18.6 percent; Danville, up 3.8 points to 15.1 percent; Kankakee-Bradley, up 3.8 points to 16.1 percent; and Peoria, up 3.8 points to 13.2 percent. Total payroll jobs decreased over the year in 11 of the 12 metro areas. The largest percentage decreases were reported in Peoria, down 5.7 percent, 10,400 jobs; Decatur, down 5.1 percent, 2,700 jobs; and Rockford, down 4.3 percent, 6,300 jobs.

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

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The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for February was 12.0 percent in Illinois and 10.4 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.

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.

"The national recession's impact on every job sector is directly reflected in this local data," IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell said. "Communities with heavy concentrations of manufacturing and construction will continue to experience sluggish job markets. Individuals pursuing health care or education-related occupations have more reasons to be optimistic."

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Central Illinois highlights

Bloomington-Normal Metropolitan Statistical Area -- The unemployment rate increased from 6.8 percent in February 2009 to 9.5 percent in February 2010. The area reported its highest February rate since 1983, when it was 9.7 percent. Compared with February 2009, total nonfarm payroll jobs declined by 2,300, with the largest employment declines in manufacturing, down 1,200; professional-business services, down 400; and retail trade, down 300.

Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area -- The unemployment rate increased from 9.4 percent in February 2009 to 13.2 percent in February 2010. The area reported its highest February rate since 1984, when it was 13.3 percent. The nonfarm payroll jobs total was 10,400 less than in February 2009. Job losses were reported in manufacturing, down 5,700; professional-business services, down 1,500; leisure-hospitality, down 900; and transportation-warehousing-utilities, down 800.

Ottawa-Streator area -- The unemployment rate increased from 12.0 percent in February 2009 to 16.5 percent in February 2010. Non-farm payroll employment was down 2,500. Job declines occurred in manufacturing, down 700; transportation-warehousing-utilities, down 350; and leisure-hospitality, down 350.

Pontiac area -- The unemployment rate increased from 10.0 percent in February 2009 to 13.8 percent in February 2010. Over the year, total nonfarm employment declined by 1,100, with losses reported in manufacturing, down 575; government, down 225; leisure-hospitality, down 150; and professional-business services, down 125.

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Metropolitan area

Feb. 2010*

Feb. 2009

Bloomington-Normal

9.5%

6.8%

Champaign-Urbana

10.7%

7.9%

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville

11.3%

9.1%

Danville

15.1%

11.3%

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island

10.9%

7.7%

Decatur

14.6%

10.1%

Kankakee-Bradley

16.1%

12.3%

Lake-Kenosha, Ill.-Wis.

13.2%

10.0%

Peoria

13.2%

9.4%

Rockford

18.6%

14.6%

Springfield

10.1%

7.4%

* Data subject to revision.

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

Labor market areas

Feb. '10

Feb. '09

Bloomington-Normal

   

McLean County

9.5%

6.8%

Peoria MSA

   

Marshall County

13.1%

9.2%

Peoria County

13.6%

9.8%

Stark County

14.1%

10.6%

Tazewell County

13.3%

9.4%

Woodford County

11.3%

7.4%

Ottawa-Streator area

16.5%

12.0%

Bureau County

15.6%

10.5%

LaSalle County

16.7%

12.4%

Putnam County

16.6%

14.1%

Galesburg area

12.0%

8.9%

Knox County

12.4%

9.4%

Warren County

10.8%

7.2%

Cities

   

Bloomington

9.8%

7.0%

Galesburg

12.7%

9.9%

Normal

8.9%

6.4%

Pekin

16.6%

11.3%

Peoria

13.3%

9.8%

Counties

   

DeWitt

12.0%

8.6%

Fulton

14.8%

10.6%

Henderson

14.5%

10.9%

Henry

12.9%

9.3%

Livingston

13.8%

10.0%

Logan

12.2%

9.3%

Mason

17.4%

12.0%

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See additional table below: Total nonfarm jobs (not seasonally adjusted) -- February 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]

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

Metropolitan area

February 2010*

February 2009**

Over-the-year change

Bloomington-Normal MSA

88,200

90,500

-2,300

Champaign-Urbana MSA

109,000

111,400

-2,400

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Metro Division

3,514,000

3,651,500

-137,500

Danville MSA

28,900

29,800

-900

Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA

174,000

180,200

-6,200

Decatur MSA

50,700

53,400

-2,700

Kankakee-Bradley MSA

42,700

42,300

400

Lake County-Kenosha County Metro Division

362,800

376,200

-13,400

Peoria MSA

171,100

181,500

-10,400

Rockford MSA

139,400

145,700

-6,300

Springfield MSA

107,800

109,100

-1,300

Illinois section of St. Louis MSA

227,000

233,900

-6,900

 

*Preliminary

**Revised

 

[Table from Illinois Department of Employment Security file]

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