The Quad Cities unemployment rate rose 0.5% in February to 6.1% as all 12 Illinois metropolitan areas reported higher year-over-year rates for the month.
In its report released Thursday, April 23, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) said total nonfarm jobs decreased in eight metropolitan areas – including the Illinois section of the Quad Cities – and increased in four. For the Champaign metro area, the monthly increase marked 13 consecutive months of year-over-year growth.
The report, based on data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), comes on the heels of the statewide report for February that showed Illinois’ unemployment rate rose slightly in to 5% as the state’s nonfarm jobs declined by 19,900 jobs over the year.
In its latest report, the Quad Cities saw its total nonfarm employment decrease -600 jobs compared to February 2025. The Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island metro area ended February with 85,900 jobs, down from 86,500 in February 2025.
Local sectors showing payroll gains over the year included: Government (+400) and Private Education-Health Services (+300). Over-the-year employment declines were reported by the Manufacturing (-600) and Leisure-Hospitality (-200) sectors. Showing employment declines of 100 jobs each were: Wholesale Trade, Retail Trade, Information, Professional-Business Services and Other Services.
“February’s numbers show job growth in a few parts of Illinois, but rising unemployment across metro areas underscores the uncertainty coming from the federal government,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the latest release. “Washington’s shifting policies are making it harder for states to maintain momentum. Illinois will continue focusing on growth, supporting employers, and investing in our workforce.”
The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 100 Illinois counties and decreased in two.
Metropolitan statistical areas (MSA) posting the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in nonfarm jobs were: Springfield (-2.4%, -2,600), Rockford (-1.7%, -2,500), and Bloomington (-1.4%, -1,300). The MSAs with the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were Peoria (+1.0%, +1,600), Champaign-Urbana MSA (+0.9%, +1,100), and Lake County Metro Division (+0.4%, +1,300). Nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division were down -6,500 (-0.2%).
Industry sectors that saw job growth in the majority of the 12 metro areas included: Mining and Construction (10 areas), followed by Private Education and Health Services as well as Government (nine areas each).
The largest unemployment rate increases were in these MSAs: Kankakee (+1.1 point to 7%) followed by a tie between Decatur (+1.0 point to 6.8%), Rockford (+1.0 point to 6.7%), and Springfield (+1.0 point to 5.4%). The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division unemployment rate grew by +0.3 point to 5.4%.
In the Quad Cities region, these individual unemployment rates and over the year changes were reported for February:
- Rock Island County, 6%, up 0.4% from 2025.
- Mercer County, 6.2%, up 0.2%.
- Henry County, 6.2%, up 0.8%.
- Knox County, 6.4%, up 1.3%.
- Rock Island (city), 5.8%, up 0.3%.
- Moline, 6.2%, up 0.7%.
- Galesburg, 6.2%, up 1.2%.
According to IDES, the unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. An individual who exhausts their benefits, or is ineligible, still is reflected if they are actively seeking work.
