Unemployment increased two-tenths of a percent in Marion County during May.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security places the unemployment rate at 4.4 percent, an increase of two-tenths of a percent compared to April but still down a tenth of a percent from a year ago. The numbers translate into 711 on the unemployment rolls, up 16 from April. The county’s workforce fell 177 workers to 16,268.
Washington County continues to have the lowest unemployment in the region at 2.2 percent, the same as in April. The highest unemployment is in Clay County at 4.7 percent, the same as a month ago. Clinton County’s unemployment dipped two-tenths of a percent to 2.8 percent. Fayette County’s rate dropped a half percent to 4.2 percent. Jefferson County’s rate increased a tenth of a percent to 4.2 percent.
The Department of Employment Security reports 1,150 jobs added in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon labor market in May compared to May a year ago. The biggest increases in employment were in government with 425 new jobs, manufacturing with 325, construction with 200, and professional and business Services up 175 jobs. The biggest decline was in trade, transportation, and utilities, down 175 jobs.
Statewide, the unemployment rate is at 3.6 percent, down eight-tenths of a percent from last May.
