CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – Over the year, total nonfarm jobs increased in eight metropolitan areas, decreased in five, and was unchanged in one for the year ending January 2024, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over the years, the unemployment rate increased in all fourteen metropolitan areas.

“As payrolls continue to grow across industries throughout the state, jobseekers are encouraged to take advantage of new and expanded employment opportunities,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “IDES and its workforce partners are uniquely positioned to assist with employment searches and to match workers with employers to ensure they find the best fit for their needs.”

The metro areas that had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (+3.8%, +3,600), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+2.1%, +2,500), and the Carbondale-Marion MSA (+1.4%, +800). The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage decreases were the Springfield MSA (-2.7%, -2,900), the Decatur MSA (-2.5%, -1,200), and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.4%, -2,500). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago Metro Division were down -0.3% or -11,000. Industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Education and Health Services and Government (twelve areas each); and Financial Activities (eight areas).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were in Decatur MSA (+1.1 points to 6.8%), the Kankakee MSA (+1.1 points to 7.5%), and the Rockford MSA (+1.1 points to 7.3%). The Chicago Metro Division unemployment rate increased +0.1 point to 4.5%.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates(percent) for Local Counties and Areas

Labor Market Area

Jan 2024

Jan 2023

Over-the-Year Change
Champaign-Urbana MSA
Champaign County

4.6 %

4.0 %

0.6
Ford County

5.1 %

5.0 %

0.1
Piatt County

4.6 %

3.9 %

0.7
Danville MSA
Vermilion County

6.6 %

6.0 %

0.6
Cities
Champaign City

4.3 %

3.7 %

0.6
Urbana City

4.5 %

4.0 %

0.5
Danville City

7.3 %

6.3 %

1.0
Counties
Clark County

6.7 %

4.8 %

1.9
Coles County

4.8 %

4.6 %

0.2
Cook County

4.6 %

4.6 %

0.0
De Witt County

5.1 %

5.0 %

0.1
Douglas County

3.9 %

4.0 %

-0.1
Edgar County

4.4 %

3.9 %

0.5
Iroquois County

6.3 %

5.7 %

0.6
McLean County

4.3 %

3.8 %

0.5
Macon County

6.8 %

5.7 %

1.1
Moultrie County

4.0 %

3.7 %

0.3
Sangamon County

5.0 %

4.5 %

0.5
Shelby County

6.0 %

4.6 %

1.4
Other Areas
LWIA 17

4.7 %

4.2 %

0.5
LWIA 18

6.6 %

6.0 %

0.6
East Central EDR

5.0 %

4.5 %

0.5

 

East Central Illinois Highlights

Champaign-Urbana MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 4.6 percent in January 2024 from 4.0 percent in January 2023.

Nonfarm employment increased by +2,500 compared to last January.

Educational-Health Services (+1,800), Leisure-Hospitality (+700), Retail Trade (+400), Manufacturing (+300), Mining-Construction (+100), Financial Activities (+100) and Government (+100) had payroll gains over-the-year. The Professional-Business Services (-700), Information (-200) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (-100) sectors had employment declines from a year ago.

Danville MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased to 6.6 percent in January 2024 from 6.0 percent in January 2023.

Total nonfarm employment was unchanged from last January.

Educational-Health Services (+300) and Leisure-Hospitality (+100) were the only sectors that had payroll gains over-the-year. The Manufacturing (-200), Wholesale Trade (-100) and Government (-100) sectors had employment declines from a year ago.