Unemployment at 4.2 percent in Mercer County. The latest number is for August and represents a 2-point improvement from the same period a year ago. Unemployment is also steady from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties. For August in the region, the biggest employment gains were in the Professional-Business Services, Leisure-Hospitality and Manufacturing sectors. Statewide, 13 of the 14 metro areas saw a decrease in the August jobless rate compared to one year ago says Bob Gough with the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Statewide, the unemployment rate is at 4.2 percent with the national rate at 3.9 percent. The highest unemployment rate in the region is 5.7 percent in Fulton County.