SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — As the state prepares to move Friday into phase four of Restore Illinois, metro areas are hoping the move will help record-high unemployment numbers brought on by COVID-19.
Data released Thursday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Illinois Department of Employment Security show a 14.7% statewide jobless rate for May of 2020, the highest that number has been since 1976.
Peoria Metro’s nonfarm jobs from May of 2019 to May of 2020 decreased by 28,800, for a 15.2% unemployment rate. That number in May 2019 stood at 3.8%.
Leisure and Hospitality is the sector in Peoria that’s seen the biggest decline in employment during that time, down 12,600 jobs.
County-by-county jobless numbers for the Peoria MSA show Peoria County at 17.1%, Tazewell at 14.5%, Woodford at 10.3%, Marshall at 11.4%, and Stark at 11.2%.
