Unemployment Down in All 12 Metro Areas for May

Contact: Rebeca Cisco | 217-524-1219 | PDF Version

SPRINGFIELD - The unemployment rate decreased in all twelve metro areas for the year ending May 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in four metropolitan areas, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth: Champaign (4 consecutive months); Chicago (11 consecutive months); Elgin (9 consecutive months); Springfield (19 consecutive months).

"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," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "We remain committed to ensuring vital investments in workforce development opportunities that encourage and create new and growing economic activity across the state."

The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA (IL Section) (-2.8%, -2,500), the Kankakee MSA (-1.8%, -800), the Bloomington MSA (-1.7%, -1,600), and the Decatur MSA (-1.7%, -800). The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+3.0%, +3,500), the Chicago Metro Division (+0.5%, +17,400), the Elgin Metro Division (+0.3%, +1,000), and the Springfield MSA (+0.3%, +300). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (ten areas); Mining and Construction and Financial Activities (seven areas each).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate decreases were the Champaign-Urbana MSA (-1.0 point to 3.2%), the Elgin Metropolitan Division (-0.9 point to 3.6%), and the Lake County Metro Division (-0.9 point to 3.6%). The Chicago Metro Division reported a decrease of -0.2 point to 4.9%.