National Recession Continues To Pressure Local Labor Markets

CHICAGO - Unemployment rates in all 12 Illinois metro areas were above previous-year levels in March, according to data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The metro areas that reported the largest unemployment rate increases were Rockford (+5.1 points to 13.5 percent), Chicago-Naperville-Joliet (+3.7 points to 9.3 percent Kankakee-Bradley (+3.7 points to 11.9 percent), Danville (+3.6 points to 10.9 percent), and Peoria (+3.6 points to 8.9 percent). Eleven metropolitan areas reported their highest unemployment rates for the month of March in more than 20 years. Over the year, the total number of payroll jobs decreased in 10 metro areas and increased in two. The largest percentage declines in total payroll jobs were reported in Kankakee-Bradley (-4.0 percent, -1,800), Chicago-Naperville-Joliet (-3.7 percent, -142,700), and Rockford (-2.7 percent, -4,200). Eight metro areas reported job growth in Educational and Health Services over the year. However, 10 metro areas reported job decreases in Manufacturing and nine in Professional/Business Services.

“The length of this national recession has activated the Extended Benefit Program that provides 13 additional weeks of unemployment insurance for workers who have been without a job for more than one year,” IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said. “Investments that create jobs, such as the Illinois Jobs Now! program pursued by the governor, are critical to growing local economies throughout the state.”      

Total Non-Farm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – March 2009
Metropolitan Area March
2009* March
2008** Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington-Normal MSA 91,400 91,000 400
Champaign-Urbana MSA 116,000 113,800 2,200
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metro Div. 3,673,900 3,816,600 -142,700
Danville MSA 30,100 30,600 -500
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA 187,000 187,900 -900
Decatur MSA 53,400 54,500 -1,100
Kankakee-Bradley MSA 42,700 44,500 -1,800
Lake County-Kenosha County Metro Div. 383,800 392,700 -8,900
Peoria MSA 187,300 187,400 -100
Rockford MSA 154,000 158,200 -4,200
Springfield MSA 110,100 110,800 -700
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA 239,200 241,300 -2,100
                 *Preliminary    **Revised

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area Mar.
2009* Mar.
2008
Bloomington-Normal  6.3% 4.6%
Champaign-Urbana  6.9% 4.9%
Chicago-Naperville-Joliet 9.3% 5.6%
Danville  10.9% 7.3%
Davenport-Moline-Rock Isl.  7.4% 5.0%
Decatur  9.8% 6.5%
Kankakee-Bradley  11.9% 8.2%
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI 9.7% 6.3%
Peoria 8.9% 5.3%
Rockford 13.5% 8.4%
Springfield 6.8% 5.3%
St. Louis (IL-Section) 9.5% 6.8%
* Data subject to revision.