SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in January for the tenth consecutive month according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). Jobs were up in twelve metro areas, and were unchanged in one, and down in another.

"Today's data reflects Illinois' increasingly strong economy," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar.  "Continued job growth across multiple regions and industries is a sign of more progress. We look forward to sustaining this work in the months ahead, by connecting employers and job seekers with more resources and opportunities."

The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (+7.9%, +6,700), the Elgin MSA (+6.0%, +14,000), the Chicago Metro Division (+5.6%, +193,800) and the Springfield MSA (+5.6%, +5,600). Total nonfarm jobs were down slightly in the  Champaign-Urbana MSA (-0.2%, -200) and unchanged in the Kankakee MSA. The industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included: Leisure & Hospitality (fourteen areas); Wholesale Trade and Other Services (twelve areas each); Government (eleven areas); Professional & Business Services (ten areas); and Manufacturing and Education & Health Services (nine areas each).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights Metropolitan Division (-2.8 points to 5.1%), the Decatur MSA   (-2.7 points to 7.4%) and the Springfield MSA (-2.5 points to 5.1%). The unemployment rate decreased over-the-year in all 102 counties for the third straight month.

Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - January  2022

Central Illinois Highlights

Bloomington MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 4.1 percent in January 2022 from 6.4 percent in January 2021.

Over the year,  nonfarm  payroll  employment increased by +6,700. A decline was reported in Financial Activities (-400). Leisure-Hospitality (+2,400), Professional-Business Services (+2,300), and Government (+1,500) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Peoria MSA: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.9 percent in January 2022 from 8.2 percent in January 2021.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +4,600. The  largest  declines  were  reported  in  Retail Trade (-700), Construction (-200), and Financial Activities (-200). Leisure-Hospitality (+3,100) and Manufacturing (+1,300) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Ottawa-Streator Area: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 6.2 percent in January 2022 from 8.4 percent in January 2021. Over the year, nonfarm payrolls increased by +1,700.  Educational-Health Services (-275) and Trade-Transportation-Utilities (-150) posted the largest declines. Leisure-Hospitality (+750), Manufacturing (+375), and Government (+350) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Galesburg Area-Knox County: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 6.7 percent in January 2022 from 9.0 percent in January 2021. Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +150.  The largest declines were reported in Educational-Health Services (-150) and Trade-Transportation-Utilities (-125) sectors from a year ago. Leisure-Hospitality (+200) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Pontiac Area-Livingston County: The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.0 percent in January 2022 from 7.0 percent in January 2021.

Over the year, nonfarm payroll employment increased by +150. Educational-Health Services (-100) posted declines from a year ago. Government (+150), Manufacturing (+75), and Leisure-Hospitality (+75) had the largest payroll gains over the year.

Note:  Monthly 2021 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2022, as required by the U.S. BLS.  Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid. The official monthly unemployment rate series for metro areas, counties and most cities begins in 1990. The official monthly nonfarm jobs series for metro areas begins in 1990 and for non-metropolitan counties it begins in 1999.