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

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

Central Illinois Highlights

Decatur MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 7.4 percent in January 2022 from 10.1 percent in January 2021. There were an estimated 3,468 unemployed people in the labor force January 2022.

The number of total nonfarm jobs in the Decatur metro area increased by +2,100 compared to one year ago.   Employment increased in Leisure and Hospitality (+1,100), Construction and Mining (+600), Other Services (+200), Financial Activities (+100), Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities (+100), Wholesale Trade (+100), Government (+100), and Manufacturing (+100). 

Payrolls were unchanged in Retail Trade and Information.   January payrolls declined in Educational and Health Services (-200), and Professional and Business Services (-100).

Springfield MSA

The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.1 percent in January 2022 from 7.6 percent in January 2021. There were an estimated 5,339 unemployed people in the labor force in January 2022.

The number of total nonfarm jobs in the Springfield metro area increased by +5,600 compared to one year ago.

Payrolls increased in Leisure and Hospitality (+2,200), Professional and Business Services (+1,600), Educational and Health Services (+1,300), Other Services (+300), Retail Trade (+200), Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (+200), Manufacturing (+200), Information (+200), and Mining and Construction (+100).

No payroll changes were reported in Transportation, Warehousing, and Utilities or Wholesale Trade. 

Decreased employment was reported in Financial Activities (-300), and Government (-200).

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.