June Local Unemployment Rates Lowest Since 2008

CHICAGO - All 12 metro areas in Illinois recorded their lowest June unemployment rate in three years, according to preliminary data released today by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. In addition, year-over-year unemployment rates dropped in every metropolitan area in Illinois for an unprecedented 10 consecutive months. The not seasonally adjusted data compares June 2011 to June 2010. The largest declines were in: Rockford (-3.0 points to 11.6 percent), Danville (-2.5 points to 9.8 percent), and Peoria (-2.1 points to 7.9 percent). The unemployment rate fell -0.2 to 10.4 percent in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area.

"The lowest June unemployment rate in three years is a significant milestone and is evidence that the Illinois economy is improving and moving in the right direction," IDES Director Jay Rowell said. "Despite the soft pause nationally, the data shows encouraging news across our state compared to last year."

Over the year, total payroll jobs increased in seven metro areas, decreased in four and were unchanged in one. The largest increases were in Kankakee-Bradley (+4.1 percent, +1,800), Peoria (+2.8 percent, +5,100), and the Quad Cities (+2.6 percent, +4,700). Total employment also was up in the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville area (+0.6 percent, +21,600). Leading sectors were Educational and Health Services (nine areas) and Construction and Manufacturing (eight areas each).

Not seasonally adjusted data compares the current month to the same month of the previous year and is not designed to be compared to the previous month. The June 2011 not seasonally adjusted state rate was 9.7 percent and 12.1 percent at its peak in this economic cycle in January 2010. Nationally, the rate was 9.3 percent in June and 10.6 percent in January 2010 at its peak. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work. A person ineligible for unemployment benefits will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they continue to look for work. Since January 2010, Illinois has added +97,200 new jobs.
Not Seasonally Adjusted Unemployment Rates
Metropolitan Area June 2011 * June 2010
Bloomington-Normal 7.0% 7.9%
Champaign-Urbana 8.6% 9.5%
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville 10.4% 10.6%
Danville 9.8% 12.3%
Davenport-Moline-Rock Isl. 7.0% 8.0%
Decatur 9.8% 11.8%
Kankakee-Bradley 10.7% 12.5%
Lake-Kenosha, IL-WI 8.8% 10.2%
Peoria 7.9% 10.0%
Rockford 11.6% 14.6%
Springfield 7.0% 8.0%
St. Louis (IL-Section) 8.5% 9.9%

* Data subject to revision.
Total Non-farm Jobs (Not Seasonally Adjusted) - June 2011
Metropolitan Area June 2001 (preliminary) June 2010 (revised) Over-the-Year Change
Bloomington-Normal MSA 89,100 89,800 -700
Champaign-Urbana MSA 102,400 105,800 -3,400
Chicago-Joliet-Naperville Metro Div. 3,673,600 3,652,000 21,600
Danville MSA 29,000 29,000 0
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA 185,500 180,800 4,700
Decatur MSA 52,600 52,800 -200
Kankakee-Bradley MSA 45,200 43,400 1,800
Lake County-Kenosha County Metro Div. 388,200 384,800 3,400
Peoria MSA 184,700 179,600 5,100
Rockford MSA 146,400 145,600 800
Springfield MSA 113,200 112,600 600
Illinois Section of St. Louis MSA 234,000 235,300 -1,300

YOUR DEBIT CARD IS ABOUT TO CHANGE

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY
How is the debit card changing?
The card that unemployment security benefits are deliv-
ered on is going to change. The current blue Visa card will
be replaced by a new red debit MasterCard from Chase.
When will I receive my new card?
The new red Chase debit MasterCard will arrive by mail in
June. It will come with information about how to activate
the card. If you have moved in the last 12 months and have
not updated your address, please call IDES at 800-244-
5631 and make sure we have a current address on file for
you. If IDES does not have your current address, your
benefit payments may be interrupted.
How soon can I begin to use the new card?
You can begin to use your new red Chase debit MasterCard
in July. Until then, you can continue to use your current
blue Visa debit card.
Will the new card work differently than the
card I have now?
Basically, the new card will work the same as your existing
card. The color and the name of the card is changing,
but it can be used at all of the locations you currently go to.
Specific details about the new debit card will be sent
with the new card in June.
Will the new card affect my unemployment
benefits?
The new card will not affect your unemployment benefits.
However, there may be a delay in receiving your card if
IDES does not have your current address on file. If you have
moved in the last twelve months and have not updated your
address, please contact IDES at 800-244-5631.
What will happen to my current debit card?
After June 30, no benefits will be deposited on the blue
Visa debit card. You can continue to use the blue Visa
debit card until all funds are spent.
What will happen to any money I have left on
my current card?
Money on your blue Visa debit card will not be trans-
ferred to the new red Chase debit MasterCard. Spend
your blue Visa debit card balance to zero.
What if I make automatic payments from the
old card?
If you have a recurring payment set to be charged to
your blue Visa debit card, the recurring payment can
continue until the balance on the blue Visa debit card is
zero. Then the recurring payment should be redirected
to the new red Chase debit MasterCard.
What should I do if I do not receive a new card?
If you do not receive a new card by July 1, please call
IDES at 800-244-5631.
Who should I contact if I lose or misplace a card?
Blue Visa Debit Card: 800-627-2069
Red Debit MasterCard: 866-728-2167
Address updates and benefit questions: 800-244-5631