Unemployment Rates Lower in February in State, Area

Unemployment rates in Illinois and in area counties were lower in February than one year earlier.

The state jobless rate was 5.1%, compared to 5.3% in February 2024.

The Effingham County unemployment rate for February was 3.8%, down from 4.7% in February 2024. Total nonfarm employment, though, decreased by 600 jobs in February from one year earlier. There were employment gains reported in the Leisure-Hospitality sector and were unchanged in Government, but other sectors saw decreases.

Other area counties and their February jobless rates were:

Clay County--5.1%, down from 5.9%

Fayette County--5.4%, down from 6.4%

Jasper County--3.8%, down from 4.9%

Coles County--3.7%, down from 4.2%

Cumberland County--3.6%, down from 4.5%

Shelby County--4.1%, down from 5.0%