The Mercer County unemployment rate now at 4.2 percent. The number is for November and represents a five 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.
In the region total nonfarm employment decreased -2,300 compared to November 2018. The Construction (+800), Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities (+300), Wholesale Trade (+100), and Government (+100) sectors reported payroll gains. Professional-Business Services (-1,300), Leisure-Hospitality (-1,100), and Retail Trade (-500) sectors recorded the largest employment declines compared to one year ago.
Statewide, the Illinois unemployment rate is at 3.4 percent says Sam Salustro with the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
The national unemployment rate is 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.