The February over-the-year unemployment rate was down in 11 Illinois metro areas, including the Quad Cities. However, the region also was among five metros to see a decline in jobs over that period, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
Over-the-year the Illinois Quad Cities metro area’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 5.7% in February 2025 from 6% in February 2024, IDES said in its Thursday, April 3, report based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
At the same time, total nonfarm employment declined in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) by -1,300 nonfarm jobs compared to February 2024. The Quad Cities was one of only five MSAs statewide to report job losses.
“Today’s data report continues to underscore the strength of Illinois’ labor market with unemployment dropping and increases in jobs across most metro areas over the year,” Illinois Deputy Governor Andy Manar said in an IDES news release. “Illinois remains laser-focused on encouraging business development and expanding economic opportunities throughout the state.”
The MSA which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Elgin Metropolitan Division, +2.3%, +6,600; the Rockford MSA, +1.2%, +1,700; the Kankakee MSA, +0.9%, +400; and the Peoria MSA. +0.9%, +1,600.
Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville- Schaumburg Metropolitan Division were up +18,600, +0.5%.
The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA, -2.2%, -2,100; the Decatur MSA, -1.7%, -800; the Champaign-Urbana MSA, -1.5%, -1,800; and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island area, -1.5%, -1,300.
QC reports gains, losses
For the QC region the sectors reporting over-the-year payroll gains were Government, +300; Retail Trade, +200; and Other Services, +200.
The sectors recording employment declines year-over-year in the region were: Professional-Business Services, -600; Manufacturing, -400; Wholesale Trade, -300; Private Education-Health Services, -300; Tansportation-Warehousing-Utilities, -200; and Leisure-Hospitality, -200.
IDES also released nonseasonally adjusted unemployment rate totals from February 2025 compared to February 2024 for the Quad Cities.
They are:
- Henry County: 5.5% down -0.2% from 5.7%.
- Mercer County: 6% down from -1.0% from 7%.
- Rock Island County: 5.7% down -0.3% from 6%.
- City of Moline: 5.6% down -0.4% from 6.0%
- City of Rock Island: 5.6% down 0.2% from 5.8%.
Statewide gains, losses
Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the state’s 12 metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (11 MSAs); Government (10 MSAs); Retail Trade (nine MSAs); and Mining and Construction, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, and Financial Activities (seven MSAs each), IDES reported.
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Rockford MSA, -1.2 points to 5.6%; the Elgin Metro Division, -1.1 points to 5.0%; the Lake County Metro Division -1.1 points to 5.3%; and the Kankakee MSA, -1.0 point to 5.9%. The Chicago Metro Division reported the only increase (+0.1 point to 5.3%).
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits or is ineligible still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
IDES also reported in its release that Monthly 2024 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2025, 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.
