Unemployment in Marion County declined one-tenth of a percent between February and March. The March rate is 5.4-percent, which is seven tenths of a percent higher than a year ago.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security says 760 are on the unemployment roll, down 126 from February. The county’s workforce jumped nearly 300 and is currently at 15,395.
Clinton and Washington County have the lowest unemployment rates in the region at 3.9 percent, both down slightly from February. Jefferson County’s rate fell two-tenths of a percent to 5.8 percent. Clay County’s rate fell six-tenths of a percent to 5.2-percent and Fayette County’s 6.1 percent rate was down a half percent from the previous month. All rates were up from March of last year, with Fayette County’s rate up the most. It jumped 1.6 percent.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports total nonfarm employment in the Centralia-Mt. Vernon area decreased by 350 jobs from March a year ago. The biggest employment gains was in private education and health services, up 300 jobs. Government jobs jumped 150 jobs.
The biggest decline was in professional-business services down 275 jobs. Trade-Transportation-Utilities lost 200 jobs. Manufacturing jobs dropped by 150 jobs.
