The Mercer County unemployment rate at 13.2 percent. The number is for May and represents nearly a ten-percent increase from the same period a year ago, according to figures released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. Unemployment is also up from year over year levels in Henderson, Henry, Knox, Rock Island and Warren counties. In the region, Leisure Hospitality (-7,300), Professional-Business Services (-3,800), Government (-2,900), Manufacturing (-1,700), and Retail Trade (-1,400) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago. The Construction (+200) sector reported payroll gains.
Statewide, the unemployment rate is 14.7 percent with the national rate at 13.0 percent.
