The year-over-year unemployment rate increased in the Quad Cities metropolitan statistical area (MSA) to 5.2% from 4.7% and the bistate region posted the third-largest decline in nonfarm jobs in Illinois for the period ended January 2024.
Over-the-year, the unemployment rates increased in all 14 of Illinois’ MSAs. That’s according to data released Wednesday, March 13, by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases in January were: Decatur, up 1.1% to 6.8%; Kankakee, up 1.1% to 7.5%; and Rockford, up 1.1% to 7.3%. The Chicagoland unemployment rate increased 0.1% to 4.5%.
The MSAs with the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were: Springfield, down 2.7%, -2,999 jobs; Decatur, down 2.5%, -1,200 jobs; and Davenport-Moline- Rock Island, down 1.4%, -2,500 jobs. Nonfarm jobs in Chicagoland were down 0.3% or 1,000 jobs.
The metro areas posting the largest year-over-year percentage increases in the number of nonfarm jobs added were: Bloomington, up 3.8%, +3,600 jobs; Champaign Urbana, up 2.1%, +2.500 jobs; and Carbondale-Marion, up 1.4%, +800.
“As payrolls continue to grow across industries throughout the state, jobseekers are encouraged to take advantage of new and expanded employment opportunities,” Illinois Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in a news release. “IDES and its workforce partners are uniquely positioned to assist with employment searches and to match workers with employers to ensure they find the best fit for their needs.”
State jobless rate steady
The State of Illinois reported 4.7% unemployment in January, which was unchanged from a year ago.
Statewide industries that saw job growth in a majority of metro areas included these sectors: Education and Health Services, and Government and Financial Activities.
In the QC metro area, over-the-year job gains included: Wholesale Trade, +300; Other Services, +200; Educational-Health Services, +200; Financial Activities. +100; Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities, +100, and Mining-Construction +100.
Job losses in the QC for the same period were: Professional-Business Services, -2,300; Manufacturing, -800; Leisure-Hospitality, -300; and Government, -100.
According to a breakdown from IDES, unemployment rates in the Quad Cities MSA in January 2024 compared to January 2023 were:
- Henry County: 6.1%, up 0.9% from 5.2%.
- Mercer County: 7.5%, up 1.3% from 6.2%.
- Rock Island County: 6.4%, up 1% from 5.4%.
- Moline: 6.4%, up 1% from 5.4%
- Rock Island: 5.9%, up 0.8% from 5.1%.
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.
