Unemployment falls in every metropolitan area for 1st time since '07

[October 29, 2010]  CHICAGO -- September unemployment rates fell in every metropolitan area in the state for the first time since March 2007, the Illinois Department of Employment Security announced. The metropolitan statistical area rates are not seasonally adjusted.

That data continues the long-term trend of job creation and falling unemployment. So far this year, the Illinois economy has grown 0.9 percent and the national economy has grown 0.5 percent.

The metropolitan statistical areas recording the largest declines in unemployment rates were Peoria, down 1.9 points to 9.4 percent; Decatur, down 1.2 points to 10.9 percent; Metro East, down 1.2 points to 9.4 percent; Danville, down 1.1 points to 10.8 percent; and Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, down 1.0 point to 9.4 percent.

Illinois has added 50,700 so far jobs this year.

"For the first time in more than three years, Illinois can record falling unemployment rates in every corner of our state," IDES Director Maureen O'Donnell said. "Adding more than 50,000 jobs so far this year and reducing the unemployment rate across our state shows that Illinois is on the right track to heal the deep wounds of this national recession."

Not seasonally adjusted data compares the current month with the same month of the previous year. The September 2010 not seasonally adjusted rate was 9.5 percent in Illinois and 10.4 percent last year. The not seasonally adjusted statewide rate has consistently dropped since it peaked at 12.2 percent in January. Nationally, the rate was 9.2 percent in September and 9.5 percent last year. The national peak was 10.6 percent in January.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work. Individuals not collecting benefits will be reflected in the rate if they continue to look for work.

(See table at right.)

Not seasonally adjusted unemployment rates

Metropolitan area	Sept. 2010*	Sept. 2009
Bloomington-Normal	7.2%	7.5%
Champaign-Urbana	8.3%	8.7%
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville	9.4%	10.4%
Danville	10.8%	11.9%
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	7.8%	8.4%
Decatur	10.9%	12.1%
Kankakee-Bradley	12.0%	12.3%
Lake-Kenosha, Ill.-Wis.	9.4%	10.0%
Peoria	9.4%	11.3%
Rockford	14.8%	15.5%
Springfield	7.5%	7.9%
St. Louis (Ill. section)	9.4%	10.6%

* Data subject to revision.

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