The unemployment rate is up and more than 2,000 jobs have been cut in the Quad Cities in the past year.
Those are two of the top points reported in the latest employment report released by Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The September employment report shows an expanding labor market for much of the state, but the story is different in this region.
The report, which compares employment numbers from this September to September of 2023, shows the jobless rate has gone from 5.9% last year to 6.3% this year. Also, during that same period, the region has lost about 2,300 jobs. The total nonfarm job numbers in the QC have gone from 183,700 last year to 181,400 this September.
However, the numbers were better for much of the State of Illinois. The entire state added 53,000 jobs in the past year, while the jobless rate edged up to 5% in September, compared to 4.7% in 2023.
“An expanding labor market and job growth across the state continues to instill drive and motivation in workers and jobseekers searching for new employment opportunities,” said Deputy Gov. Andy Manar. “IDES remains a critical workforce resource providing essential employment and reemployment services to match individuals with the right employers eager to take advantage of the growing economy.”
The metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were: Carbondale-Marion MSA (+1.9%, +1,100 jobs); Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.0%, +1,300); and the Springfield MSA (+1.0%, +1,100). The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were: Davenport-Moline-Rock Island IA-IL MSA (-1.3%, -2,300); Danville MSA (-1.1%, -300); and the Peoria MSA (-1.1%, -1,900). Total nonfarm jobs in the Chicago Metropolitan Division were almost unchanged (0.0%, -700). Industries that saw job growth in most of the metro areas included Government (12 MSAs) and Other Services (11 MSAs).
Here are the monthly employment figures for other Illinois MSAs:
- Peoria: The jobless rate rose 0.1% to 5% this September. The region lost 1,900 nonfarm jobs in the past year and currently stands at 170,400 jobs.
- Kankakee: The jobless rate fell 0.3% to 5.5% in September. The region added 200 jobs and stands at 43,500 nonfarm jobs.
- Rockford: The jobless rate fell 0.9% to 5.4% in September. The region added 1,300 and currently stands at 147,300 nonfarm jobs.
- Decatur: The jobless rate fell 0.3% to 5.9% in September. The region added 200 jobs over the past year to 48,000 nonfarm jobs.
