The Illinois Department of Employment Security released January unemployment numbers Thursday and the Mercer County rate is at 6.0 percent, which is a two-point improvement over the same period a year ago. Unemployment for January is also down from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Warren & Rock Island counties. In the region, total nonfarm employment decreased -600 compared to January 2019. The Educational-Health Services (+700), Leisure-Hospitality (+300), and Financial Activities (+200) sectors reported payroll gains. Manufacturing (-1,100) and Professional-Business Services (400) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Statewide, the unemployment rate fell to a historic low last month as the jobless rate dropped to 3.5 percent. That’s down from 3.7 percent in December. IDES spokesman Rebecca Cisco says more than 16,000 jobs were added in January as well.
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.