Job Growth Mixed In October Across Illinois

The year-over-year unemployment rate fell in all 14 Illinois metro areas, but job growth was mixed, with just eight metro areas adding jobs over the last 12 months, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

Champaign-Urbana's unemployment rate for October was 4.1 percent, which is down from 4.9 percent in October 2016. It's a touch higher than the 3.8 percent reported last month.

The statewide unemployment rate was 4.7 percent in October, which is up slightly than the 4.6 percent reported in September by IDES. That's also down significantly from the 5.6 percent unemployment rate in October 2016.

Illinois also added 18,200 non-farm jobs statewide in the last 12 months, but Champaign-Urbana lost 600 jobs over that time. Among other metro areas in the WILL area, Decatur lost 200 jobs over the past 12 months, while Danville lost 300 jobs.

Decatur's unemployment rate for October was 5.2 percent. That's up slightly from 5.1 percent in September, but down a full percentage point from the 6.1 percent rate in October 2016.

Meanwhile, Danville's October unemployment rate of 6.0 percent is the highest of any metro area in the state. It's up from 5.9 percent last month, but down from 6.8 percent last year.

Eight of Illinois' 14 metro areas added jobs in the last twelve months, led by Chicago adding 20,800 jobs. Springfield lost the most jobs over that timeframe, with a drop of 1100.