New numbers are out showing an increase in unemployment rates across East Central Illinois last month. Vermilion County’s jobless rate rose from 5.1 to 5.5 percent of the workforce. In Champaign County the unemployment rate reached 4.3 percent – up from 3.8 in September.
The report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Illinois Department of Employment Security shows Danville’s unemployment rate climbed from 5.6 to 6.0 percent last month. ”The unemployment rate increased over the year in most metro areas across the state,” said IDES Director Jeff Mays. ”The increases were mostly due to more people re-entering the job market and not immediately securing a job.”
Non-farm employment in Vermilion County increased by 200 from where it stood a year ago, according to the report. The Professional & Business Services category gained 200 jobs in Vermilion County since September of last year. The Education & Health Services….Wholesale Trade….and Manufacturing, Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities categories each gained 100 jobs over the year. But the Financial Activities….Retail Trade….Government….and Information categories each lost 100 jobs since October of last year in Vermilion County.
The new rates have not been seasonally adjusted.
In Edgar County the October jobless rate of 4.4 percent compares to 4.0 percent in September. And in Iroquois County the unemployment rate for October was 4.0 percent…up from 3.7 in September.
Area employers advertised for 4,500 positions in October and approximately 83-percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membership and research association. Employers need more workers than the help wanted advertising indicates, though, because some industries – such as construction, typically do not post advertised job openings.
