Jobless Rates Higher Statewide, Area Counties

The Illinois unemployment rate for April was considerably higher than one year earlier.

The 4.4% rate compares to a 3.8% rate for April of 2023. 

Jobless rates were up compared to a year ago in 13 metro areas, and down in one area.

The Effingham County jobless rate for April was 3.5%, which is up from 2.8% in April 2023. Total nonfarm employment in te Effingham area increased by 300 from a year earlier. Employment gains were posted in Government (350), Leisure-Hospitality (250), Professional and Business Services (175), Trade, Transportation and Utilities (125), Financial Activities (50), and Other Services (25)  Payroll totals were unchanged in Mining and Natural Resources, and in Information. Payroll job losses occurred among employers in the Construction (-275), Private Education and Health Services (-250), and Manufacturing (-150) sectors.

Area counties and their unemployment rates: Coles--3.9%, slightly up from 3.8%; Cumberland--3.4%, up from 2.9%; Shelby--4.3%, up from 3.6%, Clay--5.1%, up from 4.6%, Fayette--4.6%, slightly down from 4.7%, and Jasper--4%, up from 3%.