The unemployment rate fell in 11 of Illinois' 12 metropolitan areas over the year ending September 2026, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The rate rose in only one metro area.

Total nonfarm jobs increased in four metro areas over the year, including a record high for the month of September in Champaign-Urbana and continued year-over-year job growth for Lake County (10 months) and Peoria (4 months). Jobs decreased in seven metro areas and were unchanged in one.

"Illinois continues to show economic resilience, with bright spots like Champaign-Urbana, Lake, and Peoria," said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. "But that progress is unfolding against a backdrop of harmful economic policies from the federal government that create unnecessary obstacles for workers, employers, and families. We will continue to invest in the strength of our workforce and businesses, building on successes and working to ensure our communities can thrive despite the challenges created in Washington."

Jobs across the metros

The release said the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs occurred in the Illinois section of Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (-3.3%, -2,900), followed by a tie between Bloomington (-1.6%, -1,500) and Elgin (-1.6%, -4,900). Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg jobs decreased by 0.1%, or 2,700.

Job increases occurred in Lake (+0.8%, +2,800), Peoria (+0.5%, +800) and a tie between Champaign-Urbana (+0.2%, +200) and the Illinois part of St. Louis (+0.2%, +500). Kankakee posted no change. Statewide, total nonfarm jobs rose by 14,600 to 6,193,500.

Industries showing job growth in most of the 12 metro areas included mining and construction (10 areas), private education and health services (9 areas) and government (8 areas).

Unemployment rates

The metro areas with the largest unemployment decreases were Kankakee (down 1.2 percentage points to 4.2%), followed by a tie between Peoria (down 0.9 point to 3.8%) and Rockford (down 0.9 point to 4.4%). The only metro area with an increase was Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg (up 0.4 point to 4.5%).

Statewide, the unemployment rate decreased over the year in 96 counties and increased in 6. The statewide rate was 4.2% in September 2026, down from 4.3% a year earlier.

Not-seasonally-adjusted metro rates for September 2026 included:

  • Bloomington — 3.3% (from 3.9%)
  • Champaign-Urbana — 3.5% (from 4.2%)
  • Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg — 4.5% (from 4.1%)
  • Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (IL section) — 5.0% (from 5.4%)
  • Decatur — 5.0% (from 5.8%)
  • Elgin — 3.6% (from 4.3%)
  • Kankakee — 4.2% (from 5.4%)
  • Lake — 3.6% (from 4.4%)
  • Peoria — 3.8% (from 4.7%)
  • Rockford — 4.4% (from 5.3%)
  • Springfield — 3.6% (from 4.4%)
  • St. Louis (IL section) — 3.5% (from 4.2%)

North-central Illinois highlights

Bloomington MSA: The unemployment rate of 3.3% in September 2026 fell from 3.9% a year earlier. Nonfarm employment decreased by 1,500, with gains in government (+400), mining-construction (+200), private education-health services (+100) and other services (+100), and losses in financial activities (-1,200), leisure-hospitality (-500), retail trade (-400), professional-business services (-100) and transportation-warehousing-utilities (-100). McLean County's rate was 3.3%.

Peoria MSA: The rate of 3.8% fell from 4.7%. Nonfarm employment rose by 800, led by private education-health services (+1,100), mining-construction (+500), government (+200), retail trade (+100) and transportation-warehousing-utilities (+100), with losses in leisure-hospitality (-400), professional-business services (-300), wholesale trade (-200), financial activities (-200) and information (-100). County rates included Peoria County 4.2%, Tazewell 3.6%, Woodford 2.9%, Marshall 3.9% and Stark 3.8%.

Ottawa Area: The area rate was 4.1%, down from 5.1%. Nonfarm employment decreased by 950, with a gain in government (+175). County rates included Bureau 4.0%, LaSalle 4.2% and Putnam 3.6%.

Galesburg Area (Knox County): Nonfarm employment increased by 225, led by private education-health services (+175) and professional-business services (+100). Knox County's rate was 4.3%.

Pontiac Area (Livingston County): Nonfarm employment increased by 250, led by trade-transportation-utilities (+100). Livingston County's rate was 3.2%.

Other area county rates included Henry County 4.1%, Fulton 3.7%, Hancock 3.0%, Henderson 3.2%, Warren 3.6%, Mason 3.6%, Logan 3.8%, De Witt 3.1% and Livingston 3.2%. City rates included Galesburg 4.7%, Pekin 3.9%, Peoria 4.5%, Bloomington 3.4% and Normal 3.5%.

IDES noted the figures are not seasonally adjusted and should be compared to the same month a year earlier rather than to the prior month. The agency also said 2025 metro-area rates and job totals were revised in early 2026 as required by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Source: the original release