State Unemployment Rate Drops Every Month This Year
CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–August 23, 2012. The July local unemployment rate fell in five metro areas, increased in four and was unchanged in three compared to last year, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2012 to July 2011. The largest declines were in: Chicago-Joliet-Naperville ( 1.6 point to 9.2 percent), Rockford (-0.9 point to 11.8 percent), Kankakee-Bradley (-0.8 point to 11.5 percent), and Peoria (-0.8 point to 8.1 percent). The state not seasonally adjusted rate has dropped every month this year. It was 9.3 percent this July and 10.4 percent last July.
Jobs were up in six metros and down in six. The largest increases: Peoria (+2.2 percent, +4,000), Kankakee-Bradley (+1.7 percent, +700) and Rockford (+1.2 percent, +1,700). Chicago-Joliet-Naperville also added jobs (+0.8 percent, +30,200 jobs). Sectors increasing in the most metros were Manufacturing (10 of 12) and Professional/Business Services (seven of 12).
“Today’s data reflects the nature of this uneven recovery with several but not all areas of our state showing an improved employment situation,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “Stronger consumer confidence nationally is needed for the employment situation to consistently improve in all corners of our state.”
Not seasonally adjusted data compares the current month to the same month of the previous year. The July 2012 not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 9.3 percent and 12.3 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in July and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not connected to collecting unemployment insurance benefits. Historically, the state unemployment rate is higher than the nation’s.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates – July 2012
| Metropolitan Area | July 2012* | July 2011 |
|---|---|---|
| Bloomington-Normal | 7.7% | 7.7% |
| Champaign-Urbana | 9.2% | 9.2% |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville | 9.2% | 10.8% |
| Danville | 11.1% | 10.9% |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Isl. | 7.3% | 7.3% |
| Decatur | 11.6% | 11.0% |
| Kankakee-Bradley | 11.5% | 12.3% |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 9.0% | 9.3% |
| Peoria | 8.1% | 8.9% |
| Rockford | 11.8% | 12.7% |
| Springfield | 8.2% | 8.0% |
| St. Louis (IL-Section) | 9.7% | 9.5% |
| * Data subject to revision. |
Total Non-farm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – July 2012
| Metropolitan Area | July 2012* | July 2011** | Over-the-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington-Normal MSA | 88,500 | 88,200 | 300 |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 99,400 | 100,300 | -900 |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Metro Div. | 3,702,600 | 3,672,400 | 30,200 |
| Danville MSA | 27,900 | 29,200 | -1,300 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA | 180,400 | 182,200 | -1,800 |
| Decatur MSA | 51,500 | 53,400 | -1,900 |
| Kankakee-Bradley MSA | 42,900 | 42,200 | 700 |
| Lake County-Kenosha County Metro Div. | 384,100 | 383,900 | 200 |
| Peoria MSA | 185,700 | 181,700 | 4,000 |
| Rockford MSA | 148,700 | 147,000 | 1,700 |
| Springfield MSA | 110,900 | 111,100 | -200 |
| Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA | 229,700 | 233,800 | -4,100 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised |
Source: ides.illinois.gov
