Area County Jobless Rates Improve in July

Unemployment rates improved in all area counties in July.

The Effingham County July jobless rate was 3.2%, a half percent drop from the 3.7% rate in July 2018. 

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports that non-farm employment increased by 1,200 since last July. Employment gains were posted in Government (+800), Manufacturing (+200), Educational and Health Services (+200), and Information (+100). Slight increases were reported in Retail Trade, Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities, Other Services, Leisure and Hospitality, and Wholesale Trade.

Employment in Construction declined (-100). Slight decreases were reported in Natural Resources and Mining, Professional and Business Services, and Financial Activities.

Area counties and their jobless rates for July:

Coles--4.7%, down from 5.7%

Cumberland--3.4%, down from 3.8%

Shelby--3.8%, down from 4.3%

Clay--4.6%, down from 5.4%

Fayette--4.2%, down from 5.1%

Jasper--4.3%, down from 5.2%