The Bloomington-Normal labor market is down about 2,100 jobs over the last year, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The labor market, which includes all of McLean and DeWitt counties, lost 2,700 jobs in manufacturing from February 2024 to February 2025.
Patrick Hoban, CEO of the Bloomington-Normal Economic Development Council, said a portion of that loss is likely attributed to Rivian eliminating its third shift last year.
“I predict [job gains] will rise after Rivian completes its R2 expansion,” Hoban said in an email.
The labor market lost 400 jobs in Leisure and Hospitality, and Professional and Business Services payrolls fell by 300.
The area added jobs in Private Education-Health Services [+600], Government [+200], Financial Activities [+200], Information [+100], Mining-Construction [+100], Retail Trade [+100] and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities [+100].
Bloomington-Normal unemployment in February was 3.8%, down from 4% compared with a year ago — a sign that fewer eligible employees are in the workforce.
The 3.8% rate is the lowest among all metro areas in Illinois. Decatur and Kankakee had the highest at 5.9%.
Statewide unemployment was 5.1% in March.
