Rockford metropolitan area loses 3,100 jobs since December 2008

From press release

In December 2009, unemployment rates were above previous-year levels in all 12 metro areas for the 31st consecutive month, according to data released Jan. 28 by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

The unemployment rate for the Rockford metropolitan area in December 2009 was 16 percent, while the same rate was 12.6 percent in December 2008. Total nonfarm jobs for the Rockford metropolitan area for December 2009 was 153,700, down 3,100 from 156,800 in December 2008.

Metro areas that reported the largest increases in unemployment rate compared to December 2008 were Decatur (plus 5.1 points to 12.9 percent); Peoria (plus 5 points to 11.2 percent); Kankakee-Bradley (plus 3.7 points to 14.3 percent); and Chicago-Naperville-Joliet (plus 3.7 points to 10.6 percent).

Total payroll jobs decreased over the year in all 12 metropolitan areas. The largest percentage decreases in jobs were reported in Decatur (minus 4.7 percent, or 2,600 jobs); Chicago-Naperville-Joliet (minus 4.3 percent, or 163,200 jobs; Lake-Kenosha (minus 3.5 percent, or 14,000 jobs); and Peoria (minus 3.5 percent, or 6,700 jobs).

Not seasonally-adjusted figures compare the current month with the same month of the previous year and should not be compared to seasonally-adjusted figures. The December 2009 not seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 10.8 percent in Illinois and 9.7 percent for the nation. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for a job, regardless of if they are eligible for unemployment insurance. A person not collecting unemployment benefits still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they continue to look for work.

IDES Director Maureen O’Donnell said: “A prolonged national recession notable for its stubborn job growth continues to pressure our local economies and change our local landscapes. A positive way to meet that change is to identify and obtain the skills that will be in demand when this national recession relents and job growth returns to Illinois.”