Unemployment Rate Ticks Up Across All Metro Areas in March
Champaign metro payrolls climb to 14 months of consecutive year over year growth
SPRINGFIELD, IL. – Among area cities, Edwardsville had the lowest unemployment rate at 4.0% in March 2026, up from 3.1% in March 2025.
Alton’s unemployment rate increased from 4.3 percent to 5.4 percent from March 2025 to March 2026.
O’Fallon’s rate was 4.2%, up from 3.2% a year earlier, and Collinsville’s was 4.1%, up from 3.5%. Granite City registered 5.0%, up from 4.0%. East St. Louis rose to 7.9% from 6.3%, a 1.6 percentage-point increase that was the largest among the area cities listed.
The unemployment rates were according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
The report showed the unemployment rate increased in all 12 Metro areas statewide for the year ending March 2026. Over the same period, total nonfarm jobs decreased in eight metropolitan areas, increased in three, and was unchanged in one. Champaign recorded 14 consecutive months of year-over-year job growth, and Lake recorded four consecutive months.
“Metro areas across Illinois are continuing to feel the effects of economic uncertainty coming from Washington, creating added pressure for employers and workers,” Deputy Gov. Andy Manar said. “Even with those headwinds, some regions continue to see steady job growth. Illinois will continue focusing on policies that support job creation, economic stability, and long-term growth in communities across the state.”
County figures also showed increases. Jersey County moved to 4.3% from 3.5% in March 2025. Macoupin County rose to 5.3% from 4.3%. Madison County increased to 4.5% from 3.5%, and St. Clair County climbed to 5.0% from 4.0%. Greene County rose to 4.6% from 3.9%, while Calhoun County increased to 5.6% from 4.5%.
Statewide metro job trends were mixed. The largest over-the-year percentage decreases in total nonfarm jobs were reported in the Springfield MSA, down 3.0% or 3,300 jobs, and the Decatur MSA, down 1.7% or 800 jobs. Kankakee and Rockford each posted a 1.6% decline, down 700 and 2,300 jobs, respectively. The Lake County Metro Division increased 0.3%, or 1,100 jobs, and the Champaign-Urbana MSA rose 0.2%, or 300 jobs. Nonfarm jobs in the Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division fell by 4,500, a 0.1% decline. The Illinois section of the Davenport-Moline-Rock Island MSA was unchanged.
The biggest unemployment rate increases among metro areas were in the Kankakee MSA, up 1.2 percentage points to 6.6%. Champaign-Urbana, Rockford and Springfield each rose 1.1 points, to 4.6%, 6.5% and 5.2%, respectively. The Chicago-Naperville-Schaumburg Metro Division increased 0.1 point to 5.0%. The unemployment rate increased over the year in 101 counties and decreased in one.
The agencies noted that the data are not seasonally adjusted and are subject to seasonal fluctuations. They also said the monthly 2025 unemployment rates and total nonfarm jobs for Illinois metro areas were revised in February and March 2026, and that prior comments and tables should be discarded.
