Unemployment Rates Down Again in June

Unemployment rates continue to drop in area counties.

June numbers show the jobless rate in Effingham County at 3.8%, down from 4.4% one year earlier.

Area counties and their June figures: Coles--5.3%...Cumberland--4%...Shelby--4.5%...Clay--5%...Fayette--5.6%...and Jasper--4.7%.

All of those figures are lower than one year earlier.

Workforce conditions continued to improve in Summer 2017 throughout South Central Illinois. Students entered the labor market seeking primarily temporary and part-time Recreation and Retail work. All 18 counties in the region reported a decline in unemployment.

Employment gains were reported in Retail Trade and Leisure-Hospitality this summer. Over the year, employment advances were reported in Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Professional-Business Services, and Health Services. Mining and State and Local Goverment payrolls steadily declined during the past year.

Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Sales, Transportation, and Office and Administrative Support in early summer. Many job openings were advertised in Engineering, Management, Food Preparation, and Production occupations. Workers were needed in Health Care Support, Installation, Maintenance and Repair, Computer, Business and Finance. Some outdoor jobs were available in Construction and Building and Grounds Maintenance.