Welcome to ChicagoJobs.com

Work Closer. Work Happier.

Chicago Jobs Increase during April, Unemployment Spikes

Posted on June 1, 2009

Although some Chicago jobs were added from March to April, the city lost workers compared to last year and saw its unemployment rate nearly reach 10 percent.

The Chicago-Naperville-Joliet area saw its unemployment rate increase from 9.3 percent to 9.9 percent during April, higher than the national unemployment rate of 8.9 percent. The area’s unemployment rate hasn’t decreased since October 2008, when it dropped from 6.2 percent to 6.1 percent.

The area had a total non-farm employment of 3,682,200 workers during April, according to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 3,673,100 workers during March, but a 4.4 percent decrease from last year.

The mining and logging industry took the biggest hit when compared to last year. That industry employed 1,300 workers during April, the same as during March, but a 13.3 percent decrease from last year.

Other industries that saw an over-the-year decrease in jobs during April were:

  • construction by 12.9 percent
  • manufacturing by 10.4 percent
  • trade, transportation and utilities by 3.8 percent
  • information by 5.5 percent
  • financial activities by 5.8 percent
  • professional and business services by 6.5 percent
  • leisure and hospitality by 5.2 percent
  • other services by 1 percent
  • government by .7 percent

    • Only one industry saw an over-the-year jobs increase during April. The education and health services industry employed 522,200 workers during April, down from 523,200 workers during March, but a 1 percent increase from last year.

    Overall, the State of Illinois saw its unemployment rate increase from 9 percent to 9.4 percent during April. The state had a total non-farm employment of 5,719,800 workers during April, down from 5,742,900 workers during March and a 4.3 percent decrease from last year.