SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — As expected, the number of non-farm jobs decreased over-the-year in all 14 Illinois metro areas in February, according to preliminary data released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The unemployment rate also increased across all metro areas in the state compared to Feb. 2020.
“As expected, the global, national, and state impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are still very present, and the effects continue to linger on the economy and the workforce,” said Deputy Gov. Dan Hynes.
The unemployment rate in Peoria County for Feb. 2021 was 8.2%, up from 4.6% in Feb. 2020.
Tazewell County saw an increase in its unemployment rate from 4% to 6%, while Woodford County’s increased from 3.1% to 4.8%.
The largest job declines in the Peoria metro area were in the Leisure/Hospitality, Manufacturing, Professional/Business Services and Government industries.
Transportation/Warehousing/Utilities jobs increased by 400 over-the-year.
