Jobless Rates Up Again in July

The unemployment rate for Illinois in July rose to 6.2%, up from 4.7% in July 2023.

The statewide jobless rate was mirrored by the rates for area counties. Effingham County's rate was 4.4% in July, up from 3.3% one year earlier. 

As far as area counties, and their rates:

Coles--6.1% up from 5.2%

Cumberland--4.4%, up from 3.8%

Shelby--5.5%, up from 4.6%

Clay--6.8%, up from 5.7%

Fayette--5.9%, up from 5.1%

Jasper--5.4%, up from 4.6%

In the Effingham area, total nonfarm employment increased by 375 jobs in July compared to a year earlier. Employment gains were posted in Government (+250), Leisure/Hospitality (+125), Professional/Business Services (+100), Trade/Transportation/Utilities (+100), Financial Activities (+75), and Natural Resources/Mining (+50).

Year-over-year, payrolls were unchanged among employers in the Information and Other Services sectors.

Payroll job losses occurred among employers in the Manufacturing (-150), Construction (-75) and Private Education/Health Services sectors (-50).