Pre-Pandemic Jobless Rates for March Improved from One Year Earlier

March unemployment rates in area counties were still significantly lower than in March 2019, even though the month marked the start of the impact of the COVID-19 virus and the governor's Stay at Home order.

The Effingham County jobless rate in March was 2.5%, down from 4% in March 2019. 

As far as area counties, here are the numbers for March:

Cumberland--2.7%, down from 4.2% in March 2019

Coles--2.8%, down from 4.5%

Shelby--3%, down from 4.6%

Clay--4%, down from 5.1%

Fayette--3.6%, down from 5.3%

Jasper--3.2%, down from 4.8%

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reported non-farm employment decreased in the Effingham area by 225 compared to March 2019.

Employment gains were posted in Trade, Transportation and Utilities (up 75), Construction (up 50), Leisure and Hospitality (up 50), Other Services (up 50), and Natural Resources and Mining (up 25). 

Payroll decreases were reported in Professional and Business Services (down 175), Manufacturing (down 150), Educational and Health Services (down 50), Government (down 50), and Financial Activities (down 25), while Information remained unchanged.

IDES reported there were 39,800 fewer non-farm jobs in Illinois from March to March