November Unemployment Rates Up from Year Earlier

Unemployment rates were higher in area counties in November than for one year earlier.

The Effingham County unemployment rate for November was 5.1%, up from 4.9% in November 2014.

Here are the rates in area counties for November:

Coles--6.5%, up from 5.9%

Cumberland--5.7%, up from 5.2%

Shelby--6.9%, up from 6.2%

Clay--8.0%, up from 7.2%

Fayette--7.4%, up from 6.7%

Jasper--6.7%, up from 5.7%

Employment advances were seen in retail trade and transportation in south central Illinois. Employment in health care services continued to expand. Payroll gains occurred in wholesale trade and professional and business services. 

Seasonal layoffs in construction began in November. Payroll losses were reported in leisure and hospitality, financial services and other services over the year. Government and mining employment steadily declined during the past year.