The latest unemployment figures show Wabash County’s jobless rate in July increased over the last month. The 4.7% rate was up compared to the 3.9% mark in July of ’23. But even with the increase, Wabash County’s rate continues to be the lowest in southern Illinois, tied with Hamilton County. Other area rates include 5.6% in Edwards County, 7.3% in Lawrence County, 5.3% in Richland County, and 5.4% in White County. The Illinois Department of Employment Security reports that in the Mt. Carmel-Olney area, total nonfarm payrolls were unchanged between July 2023 and July 2024. Payrolls increased among employers in the Private Education Health Services, Natural Resources-Mining, and Leisure-Hospitality sectors. Payroll employment was unchanged for employers in Financial Activities, Information and Trade-Transportation-Utilities. In the region, employers in the Manufacturing, Construction, Professional-Business Services and Government sectors had a lower number of employees in July 2024 than in July 2023. The highest unemployment rate in southern Illinois continues to be in Pulaski County at an even 10 percent.