COVID-19 rises the unemployment rates in all Illinois metro areas

According to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), number of nonfarm jobs has decreased over the year in April in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas.

Six metro areas are at record low payrolls. Data shows that for the month of April, the unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas to record highs. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted employment all across the state. The official, BLS approved, sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series began in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.

“With every corner of our nation impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is time for the federal government to provide state and local governments with additional relief,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “Our administration is focused on helping small businesses rebuild and ensuring working families recover as communities across the state begin safely reopening their economies next week.”

In all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas, data shows number of nonfarm jobs has decreased. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-17.9%, -30,500), Decatur (-17.6%, -9,000) and Rockford (-15.6%, -23,600). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, Jobs were down -12.8% (-483,200). All industries suffered job losses and no industry recorded job growth in a majority of metro areas.

April 2020 is compared with April 2019 but data is not seasonally adjusted. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 16.9 percent in April 2020. It was a record high for the month of April, dating back to 1976. The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for the nation was 14.4 percent in April 2020. It is a record high dating back to 1948.