SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs increased in 2 metropolitan areas, leading to a new record number of jobs for Chicago and six consecutive months of year-over-year growth in Lake County, with 10 metro areas experiencing a year-over-year decrease. The unemployment rate increased in all 12 metro areas for the year ending May 2026, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES).
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“The Chicago metro area’s record number of jobs for the month of May and Lake County's six consecutive months of job growth reflect the resilience of Illinois' economy, even as employers continue to navigate uncertainty created by shifting federal policies," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "The State will continue working to support businesses, strengthen our workforce, and create the conditions for long-term economic growth across Illinois."
The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (-2.2%, -2,100), the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA (-1.9%, -1,700), and the Springfield MSA (-1.6%, -1,700). The metro areas which had over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Lake County Metro Division (+0.2%, +600) and the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (+0.1%, +2,900). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Government (nine areas), Private Education and Health Services (eight areas), and Mining and Construction (seven areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (+0.7 point to 5.1%), followed by a tie between the Bloomington MSA (+0.5 point to 3.8%), the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+0.5 point to 3.9%), the Decatur MSA (+0.5 to 5.6%), the Elgin Metro Division (+0.5 point to 4.2%), the Peoria MSA (+0.5 point to 4.5%), the Springfield MSA (+0.5 point to 4.2%) and the Illinois section of the St. Louis MSA (+0.5 point to 4.0%). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 96 counties, decreased in 2, and was unchanged in 4.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates | |||
Metropolitan Area | May 2026* | May 2025** | Over- the-Year Change |
Bloomington | 3.8% | 3.3% | 0.5 |
Champaign-Urbana | 3.9% | 3.4% | 0.5 |
Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg | 5.1% | 4.4% | 0.7 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (IL Section) | 4.5% | 4.3% | 0.2 |
Decatur | 5.6% | 5.1% | 0.5 |
Elgin | 4.2% | 3.7% | 0.5 |
Kankakee | 4.9% | 4.7% | 0.2 |
Lake | 4.2% | 3.8% | 0.4 |
Peoria | 4.5% | 4.0% | 0.5 |
Rockford | 5.0% | 4.6% | 0.4 |
Springfield | 4.2% | 3.7% | 0.5 |
St. Louis (IL Section) | 4.0% | 3.5% | 0.5 |
Illinois Statewide | 4.7% | 4.2% | 0.5 |
* Preliminary I ** Revised | |||
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – May 2026
Metropolitan Area | 2026* | 2025** | Change |
Bloomington | 91,900 | 94,000 | -2,100 |
Champaign-Urbana | 121,400 | 122,300 | -900 |
Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg | 3,853,600 | 3,850,700 | 2,900 |
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (IL Section) | 87,100 | 88,800 | -1,700 |
Decatur | 47,400 | 48,100 | -700 |
Elgin | 295,800 | 299,200 | -3,400 |
Kankakee | 42,700 | 43,100 | -400 |
Lake | 345,100 | 344,500 | 600 |
Peoria | 172,400 | 172,900 | -500 |
Rockford | 143,400 | 145,300 | -1,900 |
Springfield | 106,600 | 108,300 | -1,700 |
St. Louis (IL Section) | 246,600 | 246,800 | -200 |
Illinois Statewide | 6,191,100 | 6,201,100 | -10,000 |
*Preliminary | **Revised | |||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates (percent) for Local Counties and Areas
Labor Market Area | May 2026 | May 2025 | Over-the- Year Change |
St. Louis, MO-IL MSA (IL-Section) | 4.0% | 3.5% | 0.5 |
Bond County | 4.1% | 3.5% | 0.6 |
Calhoun County | 4.2% | 3.9% | 0.3 |
Clinton County | 3.2% | 2.7% | 0.5 |
Jersey County | 3.8% | 3.3% | 0.5 |
Macoupin County | 4.3% | 3.8% | 0.5 |
Madison County | 3.9% | 3.4% | 0.5 |
Monroe County | 3.0% | 2.6% | 0.4 |
St. Clair County | 4.3% | 3.9% | 0.4 |
Cities | |||
Alton City | 4.8% | 4.0% | 0.8 |
Belleville City | 4.2% | 3.9% | 0.3 |
Collinsville City | 3.4% | 3.3% | 0.1 |
East St. Louis City | 6.8% | 6.2% | 0.6 |
Edwardsville City | 3.6% | 3.2% | 0.4 |
Granite City | 4.4% | 3.7% | 0.7 |
O'Fallon City | 3.6% | 3.3% | 0.3 |
Counties | |||
Greene County | 3.6% | 3.2% | 0.4 |
Randolph County | 3.8% | 3.4% | 0.4 |
Washington County | 3.4% | 2.9% | 0.5 |
Other Areas | |||
LWIA 21 | 4.0% | 3.5% | 0.5 |
LWIA 22 | 3.9% | 3.4% | 0.5 |
LWIA 24 | 4.0% | 3.5% | 0.5 |
Southwestern EDR | 3.9% | 3.5% | 0.4 |
Southwestern Illinois Highlights
The May 2026 unemployment rate for the Illinois Section of the St. Louis, MO-IL MSA was 4.0 percent. The unemployment rate increased +0.5 percentage point from the May 2025 rate of 3.5 percent.
Total nonfarm employment in the Illinois Section of the St. Louis, MO-IL MSA decreased -200 compared to May 2025.
The Private Education-Health Services (+900), Leisure- Hospitality (+400), Information (+100) and Financial Activities (+100) sectors had payroll gains over-the-year. The Transportation-Warehousing Utilities (-400), Manufacturing (-300), Retail Trade (-300), Wholesale Trade (-300), Professional-Business Services (-300) and Government (-100) sectors recorded employment declines over-the year.
The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.
Note: Monthly 2025 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2026, as required by the U.S. BLS. Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.
Disclaimer: The data contained in the metro area employment numbers press releases are not seasonally adjusted, and therefore are subject to seasonal fluctuations due to factors such as changes in weather, harvests, major holidays and school schedules. Current monthly metro data should be compared to the same month from prior years (January 2026 data compared to January 2025 data) as data for these months have similar seasonal patterns. Comparisons should not be made to data for the immediate previous month or other previous non-matching months, as any changes in the data within these time periods may be the result of seasonal fluctuations and not economic factors.
