Unemployment Rates in Area Up in February

Effingham County's jobless rate was at 4.4% in February, up from an even 4% one year earlier.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security said that total nonfarm employment in the county increased by 150 in February from a year ago.

Employment gains were posted in Government; Professional and Business Services; Leisure and Hospitality; Trade, Transportation and Utilities; and Financial Activities.

No change was reported by employers in the Other Services, Information, and Mining and Natural Resources sectors. 

Payroll job losses occurred in the Educational and Health Services; Construction; and Manufacturing sectors.

Here are the February jobless rates in area counties, compared to the rates from one year ago:

Coles--4.5%, up from 4.4%

Cumberland--4.4%, up from 4.1%

Shelby--5.3%, up from 4.6%

Clay--5.9%, up from 5.8%

Fayette--6.1%, up from 5.8%

Jasper--5.1%, up from 4.5%

The Illinois jobless rate in February was up to 5.3%, up from 4.7% one year ago.