Despite a decrease in non-farm jobs over the year across the Quad Cities region, the metro area’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.9% in May 2024 to 4.3% in May 2025, the latest Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) jobs report shows. In fact, the unemployment rate decreased in all 12 Illinois metro areas for the […]
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Click here to purchase a paywall bypass linkDespite a decrease in non-farm jobs over the year across the Quad Cities region, the metro area’s unemployment rate dropped from 4.9% in May 2024 to 4.3% in May 2025, the latest Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) jobs report shows.
In fact, the unemployment rate decreased in all 12 Illinois metro areas for the year ending May 2025, according to data released last week by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and IDES.
Over-the-year total nonfarm jobs increased in four metropolitan areas leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth: Champaign (four consecutive months); Chicago (11 consecutive months); Elgin (nine consecutive months); Springfield (19 consecutive months).
But in the Illinois section of the Quad Cities Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), total nonfarm employment decreased -2,500 in May compared to a year earlier. The 2.8% decrease was the largest decrease in total nonfarm jobs statewide.
The IDES report showed the Quad Cities region had only one sector post a payroll jobs increase over the year, with Other Services rising +200 jobs. But payroll jobs decreased in 10 QC sectors over-the-year. They were Professional-Business Services (down -900); Wholesale Trade, Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities and Leisure-Hospitality (down -300 each); Manufacturing, Financial Activities, and Private Education-Health Services (down -200 each); and Mining-Construction, Retail Trade and Information sectors (down -100 each).
“With every metro area experiencing a year-over-year decrease in their unemployment rates, coupled with significant consecutive months of payroll jobs gains in four of our areas across the state, the Illinois economy continues to showcase stability and resilience,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said in the IDES unemployment release. “We remain committed to ensuring vital investments in workforce development opportunities that encourage and create new and growing economic activity across the state.”
