Rockford’s unemployment rate at 11.8 percent in July

Online Staff Report

The Rockford metropolitan area again had the highest unemployment rate in the state in July — 11.8 percent — although unemployment rates in Decatur (11.6 percent), Kankakee-Bradley (11.5 percent) and Danville (11.1 percent) are not far behind.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) released the July Metro Employment Report Aug. 23. The report shows the Rockford metropolitan area’s unemployment rate has risen slightly in the past month from 11.5 percent to 11.8 percent, although it is down from one year ago when it was 12.7 percent in July 2011.

Following are the unemployment rates per metropolitan area, listed from highest to lowest:

1. Rockford — 11.8 percent (12.7 percent in July 2011, an increase of 1,700 jobs)

2. Decatur — 11.6 percent (11 percent in July 2011, a decrease of 1,900 jobs)

3. Kankakee-Bradley — 11.5 percent (12.3 percent in July 2011, an increase of 700 jobs)

4. Danville — 11.1 percent (10.9 percent in July 2011, a decrease of 1,300 jobs)

5. St. Louis (Illinois section) — 9.7 percent (9.5 percent in July 2011, a decrease of 4,100 jobs)

6. (tie) Champaign-Urbana — 9.2 percent (9.2 percent in July 2011, a decrease of 900 jobs); and

Chicago-Joliet-Naperville — 9.2 percent (10.8 percent in July 2011, an increase of 30,200 jobs)

8. Lake (Ill.)-Kenosha (Wis.) — 9 percent (9.3 percent in July 2011, an increase of 200 jobs)

9. Springfield — 8.2 percent (8 percent in July 2011, a decrease of 200 jobs)

10. Peoria — 8.1 percent (8.9 percent in July 2011, an increase of 4,000 jobs)

11. Bloomington-Normal — 7.7 percent (7.7 percent in July 2011, an increase of 300 jobs)

12. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island — 7.3 percent (7.3 percent in July 2011, a decrease of 1,800 jobs)

In Illinois, the July local unemployment rate fell in five metro areas, increased in four and was unchanged in three compared to last year. The not seasonally adjusted data compares July 2012 to July 2011.

The largest declines were in Chicago-Joliet-Naperville (1.6 point to 9.2 percent), Rockford (0.9 point to 11.8 percent), Kankakee-Bradley (0.8 point to 11.5 percent) and Peoria (0.8 point to 8.1 percent).

The state not seasonally adjusted rate has dropped every month this year. It was 9.3 percent this July and 10.4 percent last July.

Jobs were up in six metros and down in six. The largest increases were Peoria (plus 2.2 percent, plus 4,000 jobs), Kankakee-Bradley (plus 1.7 percent, plus 700) and Rockford (plus 1.2 percent, plus 1,700). Chicago-Joliet-Naperville also added jobs (plus 0.8 percent, plus 30,200 jobs). Sectors increasing in the most metros were Manufacturing (10 of 12) and Professional/Business Services (seven of 12).

“Today’s data reflects the nature of this uneven recovery with several, but not all, areas of our state showing an improved employment situation,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “Stronger consumer confidence nationally is needed for the employment situation to consistently improve in all corners of our state.”

Not seasonally adjusted data compares the current month to the same month of the previous year. The July 2012 not seasonally adjusted Illinois unemployment rate was 9.3 percent and 12.3 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the unemployment rate was 8.6 percent in July and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work and is not connected to collecting unemployment insurance benefits. Historically, the state unemployment rate is higher than the nation’s.

Nationwide unemployment figures for August will be released Friday, Sept. 7.

Posted Aug. 23, 2012