Mercer County’s unemployment rate now at 4.4 percent. The number is for September and is the same figure that was recorded a year ago. Unemployment was also steady from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties. In the region, total nonfarm employment increased +200 compared to September 2018. The Construction (+1,200), Manufacturing (+500), Professional-Business Services (+400), and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+400) sectors reported the largest payroll gains. The Educational-Health Services (-1,600) and Retail Trade (-700) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. The state jobless rate was down in 12 of the 14 metro areas compared to last year at this time. Illinois Department of Employment Security spokesperson Rebecca Cisco says there was some job growth as well.
The state unemployment rate sits at 3.6 percent with the national rate at 3.3 percent.
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.