Cicero Township’s labor market ended 2023 on a positive note, adding jobs for the fourth consecutive month. The unemployment rate held steady at 4.2%, remaining below the national average of 4.6%. Despite ongoing national economic concerns, the local economy seems to be exhibiting resilience, offering promising signs for the new year.
Highlights:
- Job growth: Cicero Township added 120 jobs in December, bringing the total gain for the year to 840. This represents a 0.6% increase in total employment.
- Industries: Professional and business services led the way in job creation, adding 50 positions. Education and health services followed closely, adding 40 jobs.
- Occupations: Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations saw the most significant growth, adding 20 and 15 jobs respectively.
- Stability: The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.2%, marking the third consecutive month without a fluctuation. This stability points to a robust labor market with low turnover.
What Industries and Occupations Grew:
- Professional and business services: +50 jobs (including management analysts, accountants, and marketing specialists)
- Education and health services: +40 jobs (including nurses, healthcare aides, and teachers)
- Trade, transportation, and utilities: +20 jobs (including truck drivers, warehouse workers, and construction laborers)
- Healthcare practitioners: +20 jobs (including registered nurses, physician assistants, and therapists)
- Technical occupations: +15 jobs (including computer systems analysts, software developers, and electricians)
What Industries and Occupations Shrunk:
- Manufacturing: -10 jobs (including production workers, machine operators, and inspectors)
- Leisure and hospitality: -5 jobs (including waiters, waitresses, and cooks)
- Retail trade: -5 jobs (including cashiers, sales associates, and customer service representatives)
Compare to Same Month Last Year:
- Cicero Township’s December 2023 job growth surpassed the December 2022 figure of 70 new jobs, indicating a slightly accelerated pace of expansion.
- The unemployment rate remained lower than the 4.5% recorded in December 2022, showcasing continued improvement in the labor market.
Compare to Previous Month:
- December’s job gain of 120 positions was slightly higher than the 100 jobs added in November 2023, suggesting a possible upward trend.
- The unemployment rate held steady compared to November 2023, maintaining stability in the job market.
Future Outlook:
While national economic forecasts remain mixed, Cicero Township’s recent job growth and stable unemployment rate offer reasons for optimism. The continued expansion of key sectors like healthcare and professional services points to potential for sustained economic activity in the coming months. However, ongoing national uncertainties, including potential interest rate hikes and global economic slowdowns, could pose challenges.
10 Growing Occupations in Cicero Township, IL:
- Registered Nurses
- Software Developers
- Physician Assistants
- Truck Drivers
- Management Analysts
- Accountants
- Marketing Specialists
- Construction Laborers
- Computer Systems Analysts
- Warehouse Workers
10 Companies Hiring Now in Cicero Township, IL:
- Advocate Health Care
- Amazon
- FedEx
- UPS
- Morton College
- Cicero Public Library
- Wal-Mart
- Home Depot
- Lowe’s
- Ace Hardware
Resources: