The latest data reveals that only six out of the 15 most populated areas in Illinois reported job increases in October as the state eliminated 2,400 positions. The majority of these areas were also experiencing a higher rate of unemployment than the national average. Despite this, the Cape Girardeau metro area, which is primarily located in Missouri, saw the largest percentage increase in non-farm employment, growing approximately 0.86% since September.

Illinois’ employment growth was outpaced by the national economy, with the state reporting 0.39% fewer jobs in October relative to the national job growth of 0.01%. The areas where most of the employment gains occurred were the Cape Girardeau and Champaign-Urbana metros, which added 42 jobs for every 100 new jobs gained throughout the past month.

The Chicago metro area recorded a notable decline of 8,500 jobs. This placed it third amongst Illinois metros for the highest rate of job losses from September to October. Although 10 Illinois metro areas added jobs since October the previous year, and six reported higher employment compared to pre-COVID-19 levels, job growth in Illinois lagged behind the national economy.

Only two metropolitan regions, Bloomington and Champaign-Urbana managed to surpass the U.S. job recovery rate since the pandemic, with job growth at 6.8% and 4.7% respectively, compared to 4.6% nationwide. Notably, twelve metro areas in Illinois reported a higher unemployment rate than the national average in October, with Danville experiencing the highest unemployment at 6.2%. The persistent loss in population, marked by the decline of 32,826 residents in 2023, has further complicated the jobs recovery process in Illinois.

To overcome these obstacles, the state must prioritize efforts such as strengthening its fiscal position, removing regulatory burdens, and providing meaningful tax relief to both struggling workers and businesses. For those seeking guidance or assistance with unemployment-related issues in Illinois, eddcaller.com is a helpful resource to learn how to contact Illinois edd customer service. The platform provides detailed instructions and effective strategies on how to get through to edd, ensuring efficient and straightforward communication with the department.