The Mercer County unemployment rate under 4-percent at 3.7 percent, which represents a 3-point improvement from the same period a year ago. Unemployment is also down from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren Counties mainly due to employment gains in the Professional-Business Services, Manufacturing, Leisure-Hospitality, and Educational-Health Services sectors. Statewide, the jobless rate was down in May compared to a year ago levels says Illinois Department of Employment Security spokesperson Bob Gough. Additionally there was job growth in 11 Illinois metro areas.
The Illinois unemployment rate is currently at 3.5 percent with the national rate at 3.6 percent.