The unemployment rate in all 12 Illinois metro areas rose year-over-year in March, including in Illinois Quad Cities, the state’s monthly jobs report showed.
The Illinois section of the Quad Cities metropolitan statistical area (MSA) saw its unemployment rate increase to 5.7% in March from 5.2% in March 2025. The region’s total nonfarm employment of 87,100 in March was unchanged from a year ago, according to data released Thursday, May 7, by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
In a news release, IDES said that in over-the-year comparisons total nonfarm jobs decreased in eight MSAs, increased in three and was unchanged in one. The results marked the 14 consecutive months of growth in Champaign, and four consecutive months of year-over-year growth in Lake County MSA.
“Metro areas across Illinois are continuing to feel the effects of economic uncertainty coming from Washington, creating added pressure for employers and workers,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the release. “Even with those headwinds, some regions continue to see steady job growth, Illinois will continue focusing on policies that support job creation, economic stability, and long-term growth in communities across the state.”
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 they actively seek work.
The Quad Cities MSA saw over-the-year gains in payroll jobs in these sectors: Government (+500), Private Education-Health Services (+400) and Mining-Construction (+100). The local Manufacturing sector was down -600 jobs. Four sectors each recorded a decrease of -100 jobs compared to March 2025 including: Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, Leisure-Hospitality and Other Services.
101 counties see rate rise
The largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were in Springfield MSA (-3.0%, -3,300), Decatur MSA (-1.7%, -800), and a tie between the Kankakee MSA (-1.6%, -700) and Rockford MSA (-1.6%, -2,300).
Over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were reported in: Lake County Metro Division (+0.3%, +1,100) and the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+0.2%, +300). Nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division were down -4,500 (-0.1%). The Illinois Quad Cities saw no change in total nonfarm jobs.
Statewide, the majority of the 12 MSAs posted job growth in these sectors: Private Education and Health Services and Government (nine areas each) and Mining and Construction (eight areas).
The largest unemployment rate increases were: Kankakee MSA (+1.2 point to 6.6%); a tie between the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.1 point to 4.6%); the Rockford MSA (+1.1 point to 6.5%), and Springfield MSA (+1.1 point to 5.2%).
The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 101 counties and decreased in one.
The report comes on the heels of IDES’ statewide unemployment results. On Friday, May 1, the BLS data showed unemployment across Illinois rose +0.1 percentage point over the month in March to 5.1% and also was up +0.5 percentage point from March 2025
