Unemployment Rate Up in Majority of Metro Areas for November, Chicago Sees Continued Job Growth

Unemployment Rate Up in Majority of Metro Areas for November, Chicago Sees Continued Job Growth

Chicago Hits Record Number of November Jobs and 17 Consecutive Months of Year-Over-Year Growth

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SPRINGFIELD - Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 8 metropolitan areas and increased in 4, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Chicago (17 consecutive months) and Lake (6 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in 10 metro areas and decreased in 2 for the year ending November 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). The was no October 2025 metro area release due to the federal government shutdown.

"Chicago's job market remains resilient, reaching a record number of November jobs and sustaining nearly a year and a half of growth," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "However, uncertainty coming out of Washington is driving higher unemployment in many metro areas, and Illinois will continue making smart, long-term investments to strengthen our workforce and support employers statewide."

The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA, IL Section (-2.0%, - 1,800), the Bloomington MSA (-1.5%, -1,500), and a tie between the Elgin MSA (-1.4%, -4,100) and the Kankakee MSA (-1.4%, -600). The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Lake County Metro Division (+0.6%, +2,000), the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (+0.5%, +17,500), and the Decatur MSA (+0.4%, +200). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Mining and Construction and Private Education and Health Services (eleven areas each).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were a tie between the Decatur MSA (+0.8 point to 6.0%) and the Kankakee MSA (+0.8 point to 5.7%), followed by Champaign-Urbana MSA (+0.7 point to 4.2%). The metro areas with unemployment rate decreases were the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (-0.3 point to 4.5%) and the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA, IL Section (-0.1 point to 5.0%). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 94 counties, decreased in 7 counties, and was unchanged in 1 county.

Unemployment Rates (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - See PDF

Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - November 2025 - See PDF

About the Department of Employment Security

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) provides vital employment services to Illinois workers, jobseekers, and employers with resources including Job Fairs, IllinoisJobLink.com, and WorkShare IL, analyzes and disseminates actionable Labor Market Information, and administers the Unemployment Insurance Program. To see the full range of services provided by IDES, and for the latest news concerning the department, visit IDES.Illinois.gov.