Unemployment jumped across South Central Illinois in June.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports Marion County’s unemployment rate jumped eight-tenths of a percent from May to 5.2-percent. That’s up seven-tenths of a percent from last June. However, part of the reason is a growth in the county’s labor force. 861 more workers were employed or seeking work in June, bringing the county’s total work force to 16,580. The number of unemployed increased by 50 to 861.
Washington County continues to have the lowest unemployment in the region at 2.7-percent. That is a half-percent increase from May and three-tenths of a percent from June a year ago. Clinton County’s unemployment rate jumped seven-tenths of a percent to 3.5-percent. That’s up six-tenths of a percent from a year ago. Jefferson County’s unemployment is up eight-tenths of a percent to 5-percent. That’s up four-tenths of a percent from last June. Fayette County’s unemployment jumped six-tenths of a percent to 4.8-percent. Clay County’s unemployment was up eight-tenths of a percent to 5.5-percnet, an increase of 1.1.-percent from a year ago.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports 1,200 new jobs were created in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon market area since June a year ago. The biggest increases were in government and manufacturing, both up 275 jobs. Construction jobs jumped 200 jobs, professional and business services 175 and natural resources and mining 100 jobs. The only decline was in trade, transportation and utilities down 25 jobs.
