December Unemployment Rate at 3.5%

The December unemployment rate in Effingham County is at 3.5%, according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The rate is down from 4.7% in December 2016.

IDES reports labor market conditions remained stable in 2017. Employment increases were reported in transportation, health care services, and professional and business services in December. Retail trade businesses and government showed slight increases in employment, while payrolls in construction began to decline with seasonal layoffs. Over the year, payroll gains were reported in manufacturing, wholesale trade, and health services. Employment losses occurred in information and financial activities.

Many employment opportunities were available for truck drivers, industrial engineers, registered nurses, retail sales (including supervisors), loan officers, laborers and food preparation workers.

Area counties, and their December jobless rates:

--Coles--4.2%, down from 5.5%

--Cumberland--3.8%, down from 5.2%

--Shelby--4.5%, down from 5.8%

--Clay--5.0%, down from 6.3%

--Fayette--5.5%, down from 7.0%

--Jasper--4.6%, down from 6.3%