Unemployment in Marion County was at an even 5-percent in September.
This is the first county unemployment number released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security since the federal government shutdown.
The 5-percent unemployment is down two-tenths of a percent from August and is four-tenths of a percent lower than September a year ago. The numbers translate into 16,051 employed and 803 on the unemployment roll. That’s down 26 from August.
The lowest unemployment in the region is in Clinton County at 3.3 percent. Washington County is close behind at 3.4 percent. Jefferson County’s unemployment rate is an even five percent. Unemployment in Clay County is 4.9 percent and in Fayette County it is 4.8-percent. All are slightly higher from September a year ago.
The job service reports 425 fewer nonfarm jobs than in September a year ago. Employment gains were posted in private education-health services, up 300 jobs. There were 100 more government jobs and 25 more construction positions. Job losses were recorded in traede-transportation- utilities, down 400 jobs. Manufacturing was down 175 jobs and leisure- hospitality down 100 jobs.
