The unemployment rate is up and the number of jobs are down.
That’s the story for most parts of Illinois, according to the latest year-over-year employment figures released for December by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
Those stats show total nonfarm jobs decreased in December 2025 compared to December 2024 in nine metropolitan statistical areas and increased in three Illinois MSAs.
In the Quad Cities, the unemployment rate increased by 1.2% – going from 4.9% at the end of 2024 to 6.1% this past December. The total nonfarm jobs decreased by 1,400 in that period, going from 88,100 jobs at the end of 2024 to 86,700 in December 2025.
IDES also recently announced November’s unemployment report, in which, the Quad Cities MSA’s unemployment rate decreased by -0.1% to 5% in November, making it one of just two metropolitan statistical areas to record a drop in the number of people looking for work
“Chicago’s job market continues to stand out, with a year and a half of consecutive job growth and a steady unemployment rate,” Illinois Deputy Gov. Andy Manar in the IDES news release. “At the same time, job losses and rising unemployment in other metro areas show how national economic uncertainty is affecting regions differently. Illinois remains focused on sustaining momentum where growth is strong while supporting workers and employers in communities facing greater headwinds,” he added.
The metro areas posting the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were: Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (+0.8%, +28,800), Lake County Metro Division (+0.3%, +1,200), and the St. Louis MSA, Illinois Section (+0.2%, +500).
Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the 12 metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (12 areas), Mining and Construction (10 areas), and Government (seven areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Kankakee MSA (+1.7 point to 6.7%) and a tie between the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.4 point to 4.7%), the Decatur MSA (+1.4 point to 6.6%), and Rockford MSA (+1.4 point to 6.2%). The metro area with no unemployment rate change was the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (4.4%). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 100 counties, decreased in one county, and was unchanged in one county.
Here is a look at job numbers and the jobless rate in the regions outside the Quad Cities in December 2025:
- Peoria: The jobless rate increased 1.1% to 5.6% in December. The total number of nonfarm jobs went from 173,900 in 2024 to 171,900 this past December — a decrease of 1,000 jobs.
- Bloomington: The jobless rate increased 1.2% to 4.6% in December. The total number of nonfarm jobs went from 95,700 in 2024 to 95,000 this past December – a decrease of 700 jobs.
- Decatur: The jobless rate increased 1.4% to 6.6% in December. The total number of nonfarm jobs went from 47,500 in 2024 to 47,400 this past December for a decrease of 100 jobs.
- Rockford: The jobless rate increased 1.4% to 6.2% in December. Nonfarm jobs dropped from 147,900 in 2024 to 147,300 this past December for a decrease of 600 jobs.
- State of Illinois: The statewide jobless rate increased 0.5% to 4.8% in December. The total number of nonfarm jobs went from 6,194,700 in 2024 to 6,189,400 this past December for a decrease of 5,300 jobs.
