Unemployment was down across South Central Illinois in March.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports a seven-tenths of a percent drop in unemployment since February to 4.9-percent. It’s still three-tenths of a percent higher than last March. The figures translate into 816 on the unemployment roles, down 38 from February. The county’s labor force increased 119 to 16,703.
Unemployment fell seven-tenths of a percent in Washington County to 2.6-percent. Clinton County’s unemployment fell six-tenths of a percent to 3.5-percent. Jefferson County’s rate is now 4.7-percent, down four-tenths of a percent. Fayette County’s rate dropped 1.1-percent to 5.3-percent. Clay County’s unemployment is down seven-tenths of a percent from February to 5.6-percent. All of the rates are up slightly from last March.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported total non-farm employment fell 25 jobs compared to March of last year. There were some improvements. Manufacturing jobs increased 200, government jobs were up 125, leisure-hospitality and financial activities were up 50 apiece while mining and information sectors saw 25 jobs apiece added during the past year. Construction jobs remained stable. The biggest loss was in professional business services, down 275 and education and health services down 25 jobs apiece.
