Unemployment rates dropped over-the-year in August in thirteen of Illinois’ metropolitan areas and was unchanged in one, according to numbers released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Data also show nonfarm jobs increased in ten of the metropolitan areas.

Noticeable decreases included Kankakee County – now at 4.7%, down from 5.1% in August of 2017. Danville’s unemployment rate went from 6.8% last August to 5.9%. Champaign-Urbana was unchanged at 4.5%.

Iroquois County unemployment is at 3.9( -down from 4.1% a year ago.

Ford County came in at 4.6, down from 4.9%.

Vermilion County is at 5.9% down from 6.8 a year ago.

“The unemployment rate continued its downward trend in all metro areas except one where it was unchanged,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. “These are some of the lowest unemployment rates we have seen in years.”

Illinois businesses added jobs in ten metro areas, with the largest increases in:
• Kankakee (+6.2 percent, +2,900)
• Champaign-Urbana (+1.6 percent, +1,700)
• Quad Cities (+1.1 percent, + 2,100)
• Rockford (+1.1 percent, +1,600)

94.1 WGFA