Unemployment dropping in southern Illinois | News

The unemployment rate fell in 19 of the 21 counties in Southern Illinois compared to one year ago according to March figures released Thursday by the Department of Employment Security.  White County had the lowest unemployment rate in March at 7.4%.  Lawrence was at 7.8%, Wabash at 8.1% and Wayne and Edwards at 8.4%.

Workforce conditions moderately improved in early spring 2012 throughout Southern Illinois. Mild weather conditions this winter kept sizable construction projects on schedule. Many of the major building projects included health care facilities, schools and highways.

Gallatin County's rate held steady while Saline dropped from 9% to 8.4% and Richland from 9.3% to 8.6%.

Seasonal payroll advances were reported in Professional-Business Services, Retail Trade and Leisure-Hospitality. Manufacturing and mining firms also reported employment gains. Many of the job opportunities in the spring of 2012 in Southern Illinois were in healthcare, sales, office and administrative support, transportation, management, and installation, maintenance and repair. Employment opportunities also were reported in food preparation, production, and healthcare support.

The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work.

Illinois has added +142,100 private sector jobs (seasonally adjusted) since January 2010 when job growth returned to Illinois. Since January 2010, leading growth sectors in Illinois are Professional and Business Services (+75,900); Manufacturing (+33,800), Educational and Health Services (+29,700); and Leisure and Hospitality (+18,700). Government has lost the most jobs since January 2010, down -25,700.