The Quad Cities posted the second largest unemployment rate increase in February among Illinois’ 14 metro areas, according to the state’s latest monthly unemployment report.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) reported that unemployment in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island metropolitan statistical area (MSA) rose 0.3% to 4.6% in February from 4.3% in February 2022.
The data, released by IDES and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, show total nonfarm jobs increased in 13 of the state’s metro areas – decreasing only in the Illinois section of St. Louis MSA. The Quad Cities region gained 1,800 nonfarm jobs over the year to end last month with 181,100 nonfarm jobs.
The only metro area with a larger unemployment rate increase than the Quad Cities was Lake County-Kenosha County Metro, where unemployment was up 0.4 point to 5.4% in February.
Meanwhile, the largest decreases in unemployment were in the Chicago Metropolitan Division (-0.9 point to 4.1%), the Rockford MSA (-0.8 point to 6.3%) and the Decatur MSA (-0.6 point to 5.9% unemployment.
“Today’s data is further indication that job growth continues to trend in the right direction with expansion throughout every corner of the state across sectors,” Illinois Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in IDES’ news release. “Job expansion creates new and growing career opportunities for jobseekers and the demand for employers to invest in and retain the talented and diverse Illinois labor force.”
Back in the Quad Cities, IDES reported job gains over the year in these sectors: Leisure-Hospitality (+900 jobs); Educational-Health Services (+800); Manufacturing
(+700); and Government (+500). Industry sectors reporting job declines in the Quad Cities MSA were: Professional-Business Services (-1,300); Retail Trade (-700); Financial Activities (-300); and Information (-100).
Across the Illinois Quad Cities, IDES reported these unemployment statistics for February: Henry County, 5.5% vs. 5.2% in 2022; Mercer County, 6.6% vs. 6.1% in 2022; and Rock Island County, 5.6% compared to 5.3% for the same period last year.
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still is reflected in the rate if actively seeking work.
