Unemployment Rates Continued to Improve in May

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Published on June 26 2014 11:56 am
Last Updated on June 26 2014 11:57 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Unemployment rates in area counties continued to improve in May.

The Effingham County unemployment rate fell to 5.8% in May, down from 6.6% in May 2013.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports unemployment declined in all 18 counties in south central Illinois when compared to one year earlier.

Students and recent graduates entered the job market in May. Seasonal employment gains occurred in construction and recreation. Employment advances also were reported in wholesale trade, retail trade and transportation this spring. Payroll increases continued in health care services and food services throughout the area.

Numerous employment opportunities in the spring were available in transportation, sales and healthcare. Many job openings were also reported in office and administrative support, food services and production occupations. Advertisements for employment included jobs in business and finance, construction, buildings and grounds maintenance and farming.

Jobless rates in area counties for May are as follows:

Coles--6.8%, down from 8.3%

Cumberland--6.6%, down from 8.2%

Shelby--6.9%, down from 8.1%

Clay--8.7%, down from 9.3%

Fayette--8.5%, down from 9.1%

Jasper--6.9%, down from 7.7%

The state's jobless rate for May was 7.2%, while the national unemployment rate was 6.1%.