Unemployment in Marion County is up a full percent between May and June.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports unemployment increased to 5.9-percent in Marion County, compared to 4.9-percent in May and 5.1-percent a year ago. The numbers translate into 1,007 on unemployment up from 821 in May. The county’s labor force grew by 214 between the two months and is now 17,020.
Unemployment was up considerably across South Central Illinois. Washington County saw its unemployment rate jump seven-tenths of a percent to 3.5-percent. Clinton County’s rate jumped eight-tenths of a percent to 4.1-percent. Jefferson County say a 1.1-percent increase to an even six percent. Clay County’s rate increased eight-tenths of a percent to six percent. Fayette County’s rate increased nine-tenths of a percent to 5.6-percent. All the rates are higher than in June a year ago.
The job service says overall nonfarm employment decreased by 125 jobs over a year ago. The biggest increases were in leisure and hospitality, up 100 jobs, and government up 75 jobs. The biggest decreases were in professional-business services, down 175 jobs, and trade-transportation-utilities, down 150 jobs. Manufacturing jobs remained stable compared to last year.
