The November metro and local jobless report shows unemployment rates declined in all 12 Illinois metropolitan statistical areas for an eighth consecutive month. Rates also fell in each of Illinois’ 102 counties for the fifth time in the past six months, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.This data is not seasonally adjusted, which means the unemployment rate of the current month is compared to the same month of last year — i.e. November 2014 to November 2013, which removes any seasonal or regular patterns that otherwise affect the unemployment rate. Additionally, people who have dropped out of the workforce are not reflected in these statistics.
Employers added new jobs in half of the state’s metro areas
| Metro Area | Nov-14* | Nov-13 | Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington-Normal | 89,300 (5.6%) | 90,300 (7.2%) | -1,000 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 110,600 (5.9%) | 109,600 (8.0%) | 1,000 |
| Chicago-Joliet-Naperville | 3,854,200 (5.7%) | 3,830,500 (8.3%) | 23,700 |
| Danville | 29,200 (8.1%) | 29,000 (12.2%) | 200 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 182,900 (6.0%) | 183,800 (6.6%) | -900 |
| Decatur | 51,800 (7.9%) | 52,000 (12.2%) | -200 |
| Kankakee-Bradley | 44,800 (7.6%) | 44,700 (10.9%) | 100 |
| Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI | 410,300 (5.9%) | 402,100 (8.1%) | 8,200 |
| Peoria | 177,900 (6.6%) | 179,100 (9.3%) | -1,200 |
| Rockford | 149,700 (8.1%) | 148,600 (11.4%) | 1,100 |
| Springfield | 111,700 (5.9%) | 111,900 (7.7%) | -200 |
| IL Section of St. Louis | 229,500 (6.3%) | 230,400 (8.5%) | -900 |
*Preliminary figures
Metro areas with largest job gains
- Lake-Kenosha (+2.0 percent, 8,200)
- Champaign-Urbana (+0.9 percent, 1,000)
- Danville (+0.7 percent, 200)
- Rockford (+0.7 percent, 1,100)
- Chicago-Joliet-Naperville (+0.6 percent, 23,700)
Metro areas with largest job losses
- Bloomington-Normal (-1.1 percent, -1,000)
- Peoria (-0.7 percent, -1,200)
- Quad Cities (-0.5 percent, -900)
*Education and health services was the sole industry that saw job growth in seven of the 12 metro areas.
Counties with the highest and lowest Illinois unemployment rates:
Highest unemployment rates
| Counties |
Nov-14 | Oct-14 | Nov-13 |
| FRANKLIN COUNTY | 9.0 | 9.3 | 12.9 |
| MONTGOMERY COUNTY | 8.7 | 8.6 | 11.3 |
| HARDIN COUNTY | 8.4 | 8.9 | 11.8 |
| STARK COUNTY | 8.4 | 7.6 | 10.5 |
| CLAY COUNTY | 8.3 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| MARION COUNTY | 8.3 | 8.5 | 11.5 |
| PULASKI COUNTY | 8.2 | 8.6 | 11.2 |
| WINNEBAGO COUNTY | 8.2 | 8.6 | 11.5 |
| ALEXANDER COUNTY | 8.1 | 7.1 | 10.7 |
| PERRY COUNTY | 8.1 | 8.2 | 11.5 |
| VERMILION COUNTY | 8.1 | 8.5 | 12.2 |
Lowest unemployment rates
| Counties | Nov-14 | Oct-14 | Nov-13 |
| BROWN COUNTY | 3.0 | 3.2 | 4.1 |
| HENDERSON COUNTY | 4.3 | 5.4 | 6.4 |
| DuPAGE COUNTY | 4.5 | 4.8 | 6.7 |
| KENDALL COUNTY | 4.5 | 5.0 | 7.1 |
| WASHINGTON COUNTY | 4.6 | 4.8 | 6.6 |
| ADAMS COUNTY | 4.7 | 4.8 | 6.2 |
| MOULTRIE COUNTY | 4.7 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| CLINTON COUNTY | 4.8 | 4.7 | 6.9 |
| MONROE COUNTY | 4.8 | 4.6 | 6.3 |
| DeKALB COUNTY | 4.9 | 5.2 | 7.1 |
| McHENRY COUNTY | 4.9 | 5.1 | 7.1 |
(Click to enlarge)
Cities with the highest and lowest Illinois unemployment rates:
Highest unemployment rates
| Cities | Nov-14 | Oct-14 | Nov-13 |
| EAST ST. LOUIS | 11.8 | 11.8 | 16.1 |
| KANKAKEE | 10.7 | 10.2 | 14.5 |
| HARVEY | 9.5 | 9.7 | 14.2 |
| ROCKFORD | 9.4 | 10.0 | 13.3 |
| DANVILLE | 9.3 | 9.6 | 14.4 |
| DOLTON | 9.1 | 9.6 | 13.0 |
| NORTH CHICAGO | 9.0 | 9.1 | 12.3 |
| DECATUR | 8.9 | 9.1 | 13.5 |
| BELVIDERE | 8.8 | 8.3 | 11.7 |
| MAYWOOD | 8.8 | 9.4 | 13.7 |
| CHICAGO HEIGHTS | 8.7 | 8.5 | 12.1 |
| CALUMET | 8.5 | 9.0 | 11.6 |
| ALTON | 8.3 | 8.0 | 11.3 |
| ROUND LAKE BEACH | 8.2 | 6.4 | 10.7 |
| FREEPORT | 8.1 | 8.7 | 10.8 |
| SOUTH HOLLAND | 8.0 | 8.4 | 11.0 |
| WAUKEGAN | 8.0 | 8.1 | 11.4 |
Lowest unemployment rates
| Cities | Nov-14 | Oct-14 | Nov-13 |
| ELMHURST | 3.9 | 4.2 | 6.0 |
| GLENVIEW | 3.9 | 4.2 | 5.4 |
| NORTHBROOK | 3.9 | 4.3 | 5.6 |
| DOWNERS GROVE | 4.0 | 4.5 | 6.2 |
| MOUNT PROSPECT | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.9 |
| WILMETTE | 4.0 | 4.5 | 5.9 |
| ARLINGTON HEIGHTS | 4.1 | 4.5 | 5.8 |
| WHEELING | 4.1 | 4.5 | 6.4 |
| SCHAUMBURG | 4.2 | 4.5 | 6.3 |
| ST. CHARLES | 4.2 | 4.5 | 6.3 |
| WHEATON | 4.2 | 4.6 | 6.1 |
| ELK GROVE VILLAGE | 4.3 | 4.6 | 6.3 |
| HOFFMAN ESTATES | 4.3 | 4.7 | 6.1 |
| OAK PARK | 4.3 | 4.8 | 6.2 |
| PALATINE | 4.3 | 4.4 | 6.2 |
| GLEN ELLYN | 4.4 | 4.6 | 5.8 |
| LAKE IN THE HILLS | 4.4 | 4.7 | 6.7 |
| MORTON GROVE | 4.4 | 5.0 | 6.6 |
| NAPERVILLE | 4.4 | 4.9 | 6.4 |
| PARK RIDGE | 4.4 | 4.9 | 6.3 |
| OSWEGO | 4.5 | 4.8 | 7.1 |
| VILLA PARK | 4.5 | 5.1 | 7.4 |
| ALGONQUIN | 4.6 | 5.0 | 7.0 |
| BARTLETT | 4.6 | 4.6 | 6.9 |
| BATAVIA | 4.6 | 4.9 | 6.6 |
| SKOKIE | 4.6 | 5.2 | 6.9 |
| EVANSTON | 4.7 | 5.0 | 6.7 |
| HOMER GLEN | 4.7 | 4.9 | 7.1 |
| LOMBARD | 4.7 | 5.3 | 7.0 |
| NILES | 4.7 | 5.0 | 7.1 |
| PLAINFIELD | 4.7 | 4.9 | 6.8 |
| WESTMONT | 4.7 | 5.2 | 7.3 |
| WOODRIDGE | 4.7 | 5.3 | 6.8 |
| HIGHLAND PARK | 4.8 | 5.3 | 6.5 |
| ORLAND PARK | 4.8 | 5.3 | 7.0 |
| DEKALB | 4.9 | 5.7 | 7.3 |
| DES PLAINES | 4.9 | 5.1 | 7.6 |
| MELROSE | 4.9 | 4.9 | 7.0 |
| VERNON HILLS | 4.9 | 5.3 | 6.6 |
| BUFFALO GROVE | 5.0 | 5.3 | 7.0 |
| CAROL STREAM | 5.0 | 5.5 | 7.2 |
| TINLEY PARK | 5.0 | 5.1 | 7.3 |
“Our local economies continue to grow at a steady, deliberate pace, just as they have throughout the year,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “Diverse economies such as Illinois’ move deliberately because we have exposure in multiple sectors. Worker training programs driven by the private sector will lead to a more nimble workforce in a better position to qualify for unfilled job opportunities.”
NEXT ARTICLE: Rollback of temporary Illinois income tax hike means pay raise in January!
[RECOMMENDED]
- First Lady-elect: Diana Rauner plans to use her own interests and expertise in the service of the state
- Stantis cartoon: Oh what a year 2014 was!
- Musical legends to perform at Rauner’s inaugural concert
- Want to tell your elected officials what you think of the state of government in Illinois? Use our Sound Off tool!
- Does Late Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka represent the end of a blunt-speaking era?
Kevin Hoffman is a Reboot Illinois staff writer who graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in journalism, political science and international studies. He believes keeping citizens informed and politicians in check is the best way to improve Illinois and bring about common sense reform. Follow us on Facebook.