For Immediate Release – January 29, 2026
Chicago Metro Ends 2025 with Record Number of December Jobs, Year and a Half Year-Over-Year Steady Growth
Unemployment Rates Held Steady or Increased Across Metros Areas in December
SPRINGFIELD – Over-the-year, total nonfarm jobs decreased in 9 metropolitan areas and increased in 3, leading to consecutive months with year-over-year growth in Chicago (18 consecutive months) and Lake (7 consecutive months). Over-the-year, the unemployment rate increased in 11 metro areas and was unchanged in 1 for the year ending December 2025, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (DES). There was no October 2025 metro area release due to the federal government shutdown.
“Chicago’s job market continues to stand out, with a year and a half of consecutive job growth and a steady unemployment rate,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar. “At the same time, job losses and rising unemployment in other metro areas show how national economic uncertainty is affecting regions differently. Illinois remains focused on sustaining momentum where growth is strong while supporting workers and employers in communities facing greater headwinds.”
The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Kankakee MSA (-2.5%, -1,100), the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA, IL Section (-1.6%, -1,400), and a tie between the Elgin Metro Division (-1.2%, -3,600) and the Peoria MSA (-1.2%, -2,000). The metro areas which had the largest over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (+0.8%, +28,800), the Lake County Metro Division (+0.3%, +1,200), and the St. Louis MSA, IL Section (+0.2%, +500). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Private Education and Health Services (twelve areas), Mining and Construction (ten areas), and Government (seven areas).
The metro areas with the largest unemployment rate increases were the Kankakee MSA (+1.7 point to 6.7%) and a tie between the Champaign-Urbana MSA (+1.4 point to 4.7%), the Decatur MSA (+1.4 point to 6.6%), and Rockford MSA (+1.4 point to 6.2%). The metro area with no unemployment rate change was the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (4.4%). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in 100 counties, decreased in 1 county, and was unchanged in 1 county.
| Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates | |||
|
Metropolitan Area |
December 2025* |
December 2024** |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Bloomington | 4.6% | 3.4% | 1.2 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 4.7% | 3.3% | 1.4 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg | 4.4% | 4.4% | 0.0 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (IL Section) | 6.1% | 4.9% | 1.2 |
| Decatur | 6.6% | 5.2% | 1.4 |
| Elgin | 5.6% | 4.3% | 1.3 |
| Kankakee | 6.7% | 5.0% | 1.7 |
| Lake | 5.8% | 4.5% | 1.3 |
| Peoria | 5.6% | 4.5% | 1.1 |
| Rockford | 6.2% | 4.8% | 1.4 |
| Springfield | 5.0% | 3.8% | 1.2 |
| St. Louis (IL Section) | 4.6% | 3.5% | 1.1 |
| Illinois Statewide | 4.8% | 4.3% | 0.5 |
| * Preliminary I ** Revised | |||
Total Nonfarm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) – December 2025
| Metropolitan Area | December | December | Over-the-Year |
| 2025* | 2024** | Change | |
| Bloomington | 95,000 | 95,700 | –700 |
| Champaign-Urbana | 122,800 | 123,300 | –500 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg | 3,856,300 | 3,827,500 | 28,800 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island (IL Section) | 86,700 | 88,100 | –1,400 |
| Decatur | 47,400 | 47,500 | –100 |
| Elgin | 295,600 | 299,200 | –3,600 |
| Kankakee | 43,000 | 44,100 | –1,100 |
| Lake | 347,400 | 346,200 | 1,200 |
| Peoria | 171,900 | 173,900 | –2,000 |
| Rockford | 147,300 | 147,900 | –600 |
| Springfield | 111,600 | 112,700 | –1,100 |
| St. Louis (IL Section) | 244,000 | 243,500 | 500 |
| Illinois Statewide | 6,189,400 | 6,194,700 | –5,300 |
| *Preliminary | **Revised | |||
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates (percent) for Local Counties and Areas
|
Labor Market Area |
Dec 2025 |
Dec 2024 |
Over-the-Year Change |
| Champaign-Urbana MSA | 4.7% | 3.3% | 1.4 |
| Champaign County | 4.8% | 3.3% | 1.5 |
| Ford County | 4.8% | 3.5% | 1.3 |
| Piatt County | 4.1% | 3.0% | 1.1 |
| Danville Area | |||
| Vermilion County | 6.5% | 5.5% | 1.0 |
| Cities | |||
| Champaign City | 4.7% | 3.3% | 1.4 |
| Urbana City | 5.2% | 3.3% | 1.9 |
| Danville City | 7.0% | 6.6% | 0.4 |
| Counties | |||
| Clark County | 6.2% | 4.2% | 2.0 |
| Coles County | 4.5% | 3.2% | 1.3 |
| Cook County | 4.6% | 4.6% | 0.0 |
| De Witt County | 4.5% | 3.9% | 0.6 |
| Douglas County | 4.2% | 3.1% | 1.1 |
| Edgar County | 5.1% | 3.7% | 1.4 |
| Iroquois County | 5.8% | 4.1% | 1.7 |
| McLean County | 4.6% | 3.4% | 1.2 |
| Macon County | 6.6% | 5.2% | 1.4 |
| Moultrie County | 4.3% | 3.2% | 1.1 |
| Sangamon County | 5.0% | 3.8% | 1.2 |
| Shelby County | 5.1% | 3.7% | 1.4 |
| Other Areas | |||
| LWIA 17 | 4.8% | 3.3% | 1.5 |
| LWIA 18 | 6.5% | 5.5% | 1.0 |
| East Central EDR | 5.1% | 3.7% | 1.4 |
East Central Illinois Highlights
Champaign-Urbana MSA
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 4.7 percent in December 2025 increased from 3.3 percent in December 2024.
Over-the-year, nonfarm employment decreased by -500 to the total of 122,800 jobs.
Employment increased in the Mining-Construction (+200) and Private Education-Health Services (+100) sectors.
Payrolls were unchanged in Government, Leisure-Hospitality, Wholesale Trade and Financial Activities.
Payroll employment decreased in Manufacturing (-200), Retail Trade (-200), Information (-100), Other Services (-100), Professional-Business Services (-100) and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (-100) between December 2024 and December 2025.
Danville Area–Vermilion County
The not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 6.5 percent in December 2025 increased from 5.5 percent in December 2024.
Over-the-year, nonfarm employment decreased by -350 to the total of 25,250 jobs.
Employment increased in the Private Education-Health Services (+125) and Natural Resources-Mining (+25) sectors.
Payrolls were unchanged in Information, Leisure-Hospitality and Other Services.
Payroll employment decreased in Professional-Business Services (-275), Government (-75), Trade-Transportation-Utilities (-50), Manufacturing (-25), Construction (-25) and Financial Activities (-25) between December 2024 and December 2025.
Note: Monthly 2024 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2025, as required by the U.S. BLS. Comments and tables distributed for prior metro area news releases should be discarded as any records or historical analysis previously cited may no longer be valid.
Comments