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* UPDATED x1 * Unemployment benefit claims fall slightly nationally and in Illinois, but state level remains very high

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* CNN…

Claims for unemployment benefits inched lower last week, the Department of Labor said Thursday. Still millions of Americans continue to rely on government aid to make ends meet.

Last week, 787,000 workers claimed first-time benefits on a seasonally adjusted basis. That’s down from the prior week, which was revised significantly lower. Last week marked the first time jobless claims fell below 800,000 since mid-March.

But not everyone is eligible for regular state benefits. Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which Congress created as part of the CARES Act in the spring, provides benefits for the self-employed and gig workers.

Last week, 345,440 people applied for PUA.

* CBS 2…

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates 47,018 new unemployment claims were filed during the week of Oct. 12 in Illinois, according to the DOL’s weekly claims report released Thursday.

While this number is based on advanced estimates, the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will be releasing a final number later Thursday. […]

There were 47,528 new unemployment claims were filed across the state last week, the week of Oct. 5.

There were 29,390 new unemployment claims in Illinois the week of Sept. 21.

*** UPDATE *** IDES…

The number of nonfarm jobs decreased over-the-year in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas in September, with four metro areas at record low payrolls for that month, according to preliminary data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The unemployment rate increased over-the-year in all metro areas and posted a record high for the month of September in one metro area. The official, BLS approved sub-state unemployment rate and nonfarm jobs series begins in 1990. Data reported prior to 1990 are not directly comparable due to updates in methodology.

“As Illinois continues to make necessary adjustments and work through the COVID-19 mitigation plan, the Pritzker administration remains committed to providing unemployment benefits as a means of economic relief to claimants who are still in need of the Department’s services,” said Deputy Governor Dan Hynes. “We take our role in this pandemic seriously, and will continue to work with IDES to support working families and provide employment training and services to those who seek it.”

The number of nonfarm jobs decreased in all fourteen Illinois metropolitan areas. Total nonfarm jobs were down in Peoria (-10.5%, -17,900), Elgin (-8.8%, -23,200) and Lake-Kenosha (-7.6%, -32,000). In Chicago-Naperville-Arlington Heights, jobs were down 7.2% (-274,200). No industry sector saw job gains in a majority of metro areas.

Not seasonally adjusted data compares September 2020 with September 2019. The not seasonally adjusted Illinois rate was 9.8 percent in September 2020 and the highest September unemployment rate since 2011, when it was also 9.8 percent. The official, BLS approved, statewide unemployment rate series begins in 1976. Nationally, the not seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 7.7 percent in September 2020 and the highest September unemployment rate since 2011, when it was 8.8 percent. The unemployment rate identifies those individuals who are out of work and seeking employment.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 22, 20 @ 9:54 am

Comments

CARES money ended September 30th for Airlines who signaled layoffs would start October 1 if money wasn’t replenished. United announced 16K layoffs, American 19K (not all Illinois).

Based on WARN filings from July/August it looks like Airlines, Hotels, and Caterers were most affected.

Comment by 1st Ward Thursday, Oct 22, 20 @ 10:24 am
and with recent mitigation protocols this number will only go higher. it’s going to be hard to pin this on Trump in 2 years when JB is running for re election and Trump’s presidency is all but a memory the public barely remembers.

Comment by iggy Thursday, Oct 22, 20 @ 10:58 am
===the public barely remembers===

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Oct 22, 20 @ 11:19 am
There are many fraudulent claims. I was notified that due to a prior breach that they tried to claim in my name. The Illinois Attorney General’s office informed me that it is big and nationally. I have spent the last week working to protect my identity. No matter what, you can’t totally avoid this because it was a breach from either the State or Equifax or who knows. They put in a change of address for me which was very scary. I am so lucky that my employer caught this and notified me and I was able to go into overdrive to protect myself and my family. I recommend a number (800) 680-7289 where you can get a fraud alert as an extra protection. Everyone needs to watch out. I was told by both my employer and The Illinois Attorney General’s office that the FBI amount other agencies are investigating because this is big and has been going on since at least March.

Comment by Jerry Thursday, Oct 22, 20 @ 11:28 am
Jerry - I feel your pain. My employer sent me an email on Monday asking if I filed IDES claim. Since then, have spent hours obtaining credit reports, informing banks, filing police report, filing FTC identity theft report, requesting fraud alerts with credit reporting companies.

My employer has gone so far as to post on our intranet an alert with information to protect ourselves.

I’m making hard copies of everything along with the digital copies.

Lesson of the day is - if you haven’t created an account with one of the credit reporting companies and placed a fraud alert, you may be too late.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Oct 22, 20 @ 2:02 pm