Tom Austin from the Illinois Department of Employment Security says the number of people working went up in most sectors.
"We continue to see gains in the industry that was hardest hit when we look at the pandemic which was leisure and hospitality. That's a positive sign as we continue to move on and people start to travel and that industry starts to re-build itself."
There were a few declines, in professional and business services and retail trade, but overall the Quad Cities gained 1,800 jobs during the past year.
Austin says the increase in unemployment is actually a good sign.
"As people hear that there are jobs in demand they typically then re-enter the labor force and in some instances they're not employed right away but they're seeking employment. And that's a positive sign the people are returning back to the labor force when we see a demand for workers."
To be counted as unemployed, a person must be out of work and looking for a job.
Overall in Illinois, the number of people working increased in thirteen metropolitan areas, and was unchanged in one.