Jobless Rates Improve in January from Year Earlier

Unemployment rates declined in January from one year earlier statewide in Illinois and in area counties.

The Effingham County jobless rate was 4.2%, compared to 4.9% in January 2024. In the Effingham area, total nonfarm employment decreased by 400 jobs from a year earlier, with increases in the Leisure-Hospitality and Government sectors.

In area counties, jobless rates were:

Coles County--3.8%, down from 4.3% in January 2024

Cumberland County--4.2%, down from 4.7%

Shelby County--4.6%, down from 5.5%

Clay County--6.0%, down from 6.1%

Fayette County--6.1%, down from 6.7%

Jasper County--4.5%, down from 5.5%

Unemployment statewide was at an even 5.0% in January, compared to 5.2% in January 2024.