The first unemployment figures for southern Illinois reflecting the damage inflicted by the coronavirus have been released and they’re as bad, or worse, than analysts had projected. In April, Wabash County went from having the second to lowest jobless rate in southern Illinois to the second highest, going from 2.8% in March to 23.5% in April.
Sectors affected by the stay at home order were across the board as non-farm employment decreased by 1,250 over the year. Other areas hard hit included manufacturing, and leisure and hospitality. Gains were reported in only government and trade, transportation, and utilities.
Other local unemployment rates included 21.7% in Edwards County, 23.5% in Lawrence County, 19.4% in Wayne County, and Richland County at 15.4%. The highest April jobless rate was in Franklin County at 23.8% while the lowest was in Union County at 14%. Statewide, the rate jumped to 16.9%.