SPRINGFIELD — Unemployment rates mostly declined or remained stable in northern Illinois in May, but they were up from a year ago, according to figures released Friday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Winnebago County had an unemployment rate of 5% in May, down from 5.2% in April, but up from 4.7% in May of 2025.
Boone County had an unemployment rate of 4.7% in May, down from 5.2% in April, but up from 4.2% in May of 2025.
Ogle County had an unemployment rate of 4.3% in May, unchanged from April, but up from 3.9% in May of 2025.
Stephenson County had an unemployment rate of 4% in May, unchanged from April, but up from 3.9% in May of 2025.
Among cities in northern Illinois, Rockford had an unemployment rate of 5.7% in May, down from 5.9% in April, but up from 5.3% in May of 2025.
Belvidere had an unemployment rate of 4.7% in May, down from 5.5% in April, but up from 4.3% in May of 2025.
Freeport had an unemployment rate of 4.6% in May, up slightly from 4.5% in April and up from 4.4% in May of 2025.
The statewide unemployment rate for Illinois was 4.7% in May, unchanged from April, but up from 4.2% in May of 2025.
The national unemployment rate was 4.3% in May, unchanged from April, but up from 4.2% in May of 2025.
The metro areas which posted the largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were the Bloomington MSA (-2.2%, -2,100), the Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA (-1.9%, -1,700), and the Springfield MSA (-1.6%, -1,700). The metro areas which had over-the-year percentage increases in total nonfarm jobs were the Lake County Metro Division (+0.2%, +600) and the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division (+0.1%, +2,900). Industries that saw job growth in the majority of the twelve metro areas included: Government (nine areas), Private Education and Health Services (eight areas), and Mining and Construction (seven areas).
