SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) — The Champaign-Urbana metro area continued a remarkable streak of employment growth in April, marking 15 consecutive months of year-over-year job gains, even as unemployment rates rose across all 12 of Illinois’ metropolitan areas, according to data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Total nonfarm employment in the Champaign-Urbana MSA rose by 100 jobs to 123,900 in April 2026, a 0.1% increase over April 2025. The area was one of only three metro areas in Illinois to post year-over-year job growth, alongside the Lake County Metro Division and the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division.

Job gains in the Champaign-Urbana area were led by Government, which added 500 positions, followed by Leisure and Hospitality with 400 new jobs, and Private Education and Health Services and Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities, each adding 200 jobs. Those gains were partially offset by losses in Retail Trade (-500), Professional and Business Services (-300), and Financial Activities (-200), among other sectors.

Despite the job growth, the Champaign-Urbana unemployment rate rose to 3.8% in April 2026, up 0.7 percentage points from 3.1% in April 2025 — the largest increase of any metro area in the state. Champaign County’s unemployment rate came in at 3.9%, while Urbana’s stood at 4.0%.

The picture was more challenging in the Danville area, where Vermilion County’s unemployment rate climbed to 5.2%, up from 4.6% a year ago. Total nonfarm employment in the Danville area fell by 450 jobs to 25,725, with losses spread across Professional and Business Services, Manufacturing, and Trade, Transportation, and Utilities. Danville City’s unemployment rate reached 5.9%, up from 5.3% in April 2025.

Statewide, Illinois lost 2,300 nonfarm jobs year-over-year, with the largest declines in Rockford (-2,400), Bloomington (-1,800), and Springfield (-1,700). The statewide unemployment rate rose to 4.7%, up 0.5 percentage points from April 2025.

“While Champaign-Urbana’s continued job growth and gains in other metros of the state reflect Illinois’ resilient economy, rising unemployment across Illinois’ metro areas reflects the growing uncertainty coming out of Washington felt by employers and workers,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.