The Quad Cities was among four Illinois metropolitan areas to post decades-low record unemployment rates for the month of April, IDES reports. CREDIT DAVE THOMPSON
The Quad Cities was among four Illinois metropolitan areas to post decades-low record unemployment rates for the month of April, the latest Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) job report shows. According to IDES, unemployment in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) hit 4.1% in April. That’s down 0.9% from 5% in April 2024. […]
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The Quad Cities was among four Illinois metropolitan areas to post decades-low record unemployment rates for the month of April, the latest Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) job report shows.According to IDES, unemployment in the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) hit 4.1% in April. That’s down 0.9% from 5% in April 2024. Other MSAs with record low rates in April were: St. Louis (Illinois section), 2.9%, down from 4%; Bloomington, 2.8%, down from 3.4%; and Elgin, 3.5%, down from 4.8%. These industry sectors in the Quad Cities reported payroll gains over the year: Other Services (+300) and Retail Trade (+100). Employment declines were posted in these sectors: Professional-Business Services (-900); Private Education-Health Services (-400); Wholesale Trade (-300); Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities, Financial Activities and Leisure-Hospitality, all down 200 jobs; and Mining-Construction and Manufacturing, both down 100 jobs.
Rates down statewide
The IDES monthly report said April marked the second month in a row that unemployment has decreased in 11 metro areas and increased in one over-the-year. The unemployment report is based on data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and IDES. “With unemployment down year over year in nearly every metro area and some reaching decades low for April, Illinois continues to demonstrate strong economic momentum,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the release. “These numbers reflect the impact of our continued investments in workforce development and our commitment to creating opportunities for both jobseekers and businesses across the state.”The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were Kankakee (-1.4 points to 4.2%), Rockford (-1.4 points to 4.2%), Elgin Metro Division (-1.3 points to 3.5%), and Lake County Metro Division (-1.3 points to 3.7%). The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metropolitan Division reported the only increase in April’s unemployment rate (+0.5 point to 5.1%).Total nonfarm jobs also increased in six MSAs, decreased in five (including the QC), and it was unchanged in one.
April’s nonfarm jobs
Total nonfarm employment across the Illinois section of the Quad Cities MSA in April totaled 88,800 jobs, or a decrease of 2,000 (-2.3%) compared to April 2024. Other MSAs with over-the-year decreases were: Bloomington MSA (-2.4%, -2,300), and the Decatur MSA (-2.1%, -1,000). The metro areas with the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were: Elgin (+1.2%, 3,600), Champaign-Urbana (+1.1%, 1,300), and Rockford (+0.8%, 1,200). Nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville- Schaumburg Metro Division were up 13,200, +0.4%. Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the 12 regions included: Private Education and Health Services (10 areas); Mining and Construction and Government (seven areas each).
Other QC area rates
The April jobs report also showed these individual city and county unemployment rates across the QC region:
Rock Island County, 4.1% in April 2025, down 0.9% from 5% a year ago.
