The regional unemployment continues to move upward.
According to data released last week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security, most of the listening area is now about 5% unemployment, with one county getting closer to 6%.
Scott County has the highest unemployment in the region at 5.9%. It’s the first time that’s occurred in more than a year, when the region was affected by the Westermeyer Industries fire.
Morgan, Greene, Cass, Schuyler, Pike, and Sangamon all are between 5.1 and 5.3% unemployment. Brown County is holding steady at 3%. The national unemployment rate is currently sitting at 4.3%, while Illinois’ average rate is 6.1%.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor statistics, unemployment increased in all 14 of Illinois metropolitan areas. Morgan County saw a 7-tenths of a percentage point increase in its over the year rate.