Unemployment Rate Ticks Up Across All Metro Areas in March

Contact: Rebeca Cisco | 217-524-1219

SPRINGFIELD - Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 8 metropolitan areas, increased in 3 and was unchanged in 1, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Champaign (14 consecutive months) and Lake (4 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in all 12 metro areas for the year ending March 2026, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES).

"Metro areas across Illinois are continuing to feel the effects of economic uncertainty coming from Washington, creating added pressure for employers and workers," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "Even with those headwinds, some regions continue to see steady job growth, Illinois will continue focusing on policies that support job creation, economic stability, and long-term growth in communities across the state."

The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Springfield MSA (-3.0%, -3,300), the Decatur MSA (-1.7%, -800), and a tie between the Kankakee MSA (-1.6%, -700) and the Rockford MSA (-1.6%, -2,300). The metro areas which had over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Lake County Metro Division (+0.3%, +1,100) and the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+0.2%, +300). Nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division were down -4,500 (-0.1%). The Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA saw no change in total nonfarm jobs over-the-year. Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services and Government (nine areas each), followed by Mining and Construction (eight areas).

The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Kankakee MSA (+1.2 point to 6.6%) followed by a tie between the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.1 point to 4.6%), the Rockford MSA (+1.1 point to 6.5%), and Springfield MSA (+1.1 point to 5.2%). The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division unemployment rate grew by +0.1 point to 5.0%. The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 101 counties and decreased in 1.