Ogle, Lee And DeKalb Counties See Higher Unemployment In May

SPRINGFIELD — Unemployment rates increased from a year ago in Ogle, Lee and DeKalb counties during May, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Ogle County’s unemployment rate rose to 4.3 percent from 3.9 percent, Lee County increased to 4.3 percent from 4.0 percent, and DeKalb County climbed to 4.1 percent from 3.7 percent. Ogle County also lost 575 nonfarm jobs over the year, while the Rockford metropolitan area lost 1,900 jobs and its unemployment rate increased to 5.0 percent from 4.6 percent. Statewide, the unemployment rate rose to 4.7 percent from 4.2 percent as total nonfarm employment fell by 10,000 jobs compared with May 2025. The Chicago metropolitan area recorded a 5.1 percent unemployment rate, up from 4.4 percent a year earlier, but reached a record 3,853,600 nonfarm jobs for the month of May, an increase of 2,900 jobs over the year.