New data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show eight of Illinois’ 13 metro areas gained jobs over the month.

When people can’t find good job opportunities in Illinois, they are too often forced to leave. And to take their place, too few have enough confidence in the state to move in from elsewhere and build a future.

In a shrinking state, half of Illinois’ largest cities have shed population since 2010.

Seven metro areas across the state lost jobs over the month.

Illinois’ metro areas added 11,300 jobs in February, while only one metro area lost jobs over the month. Despite strong employment growth from metro areas in February, Illinois is still far behind U.S. growth over the last 12 months.

Combined jobs growth was slightly positive across Illinois’ metro areas in January. But only four metro areas have recovered the jobs they lost during the Great Recession.