Only 6 of 15 Illinois metro areas gained jobs in October
New data shows only six of 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in October as the state shed 2,400 jobs. Twelve metro areas reported higher unemployment than the national average.
New data shows only six of the 15 Illinois metropolitan areas added jobs in October 2024, reporting an overall decrease of 2,400 jobs statewide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The Cape Girardeau metro area, which is mainly in Missouri, saw the largest percent increase in non-farm employment, growing 0.86% since September. Leading the losses was the Danville area.
State employment growth trailed the national economy. Illinois reported 0.39% fewer jobs in October, compared to 0.01% growth nationwide.
Employment gains were most heavily concentrated in the Cape Girardeau and Champaign-Urbana metros, which added 42 out of every 100 new jobs gained during the past month. Kankakee reported no change in employment from September.
The Chicago metro area saw a notable decline of 8,500 jobs, with the area’s rate of job losses ranking third worst among Illinois metros from September 2024 to October 2024.
Overall, 10 Illinois metro areas added jobs since October 2023 and six reported higher employment than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Only two metro areas have outperformed the U.S. job recovery rate since the pandemic: Bloomington at 6.8% and Champaign-Urbana at 4.7%, compared to 4.6% nationwide.
Illinois employment growth exceeded pre-pandemic levels but trailed behind the national economy, with the state adding 0.02% more jobs. Eight areas continued to report fewer jobs than before the pandemic.
In total, 12 of Illinois’ 15 metros also reported a higher unemployment rate than the national average in October. Danville faced the highest unemployment at 6.2% while St. Louis and Cape Girardeau reported the lowest unemployment.
Illinois’ sluggish jobs recovery from the pandemic has been further complicated by population loss continuing to hit communities across the state. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows Illinois lost 32,826 residents in 2023, marking the state’s 10th consecutive year of population decline.
Historically, high taxes have been the No. 1 reason Illinoisans considered leaving the state. The Illinois Policy Institute’s Lincoln Poll in 2023 substantiated that reason.
Illinois’ state and local tax burden is the highest in the Midwest. Illinois also levies the second-highest state corporate income tax in the nation and the state’s tax code is among the least friendly for businesses in the Midwest.
To grow, the state must focus on strengthening its fiscal position, removing regulatory burdens, and providing real tax relief both to workers who are already finding it difficult to remain and to job creators who are desperately trying to stay.