Unemployment rates across southeastern Illinois remained significantly higher in May than they were a year ago, as the region continues to feel the effects of the Champion Laboratories plant closure in Albion earlier this year.
According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, Edwards County posted the highest unemployment rate in southern Illinois at 9.6 percent, up sharply from 3.7 percent in May of last year.
Wabash County's unemployment rate was 4.8 percent, compared to 3.3 percent a year earlier. Lawrence County increased from 3.8 to 4.7 percent, Wayne County rose from 3.7 to 4.9 percent, and Richland County climbed from 3.2 to 4.0 percent.
Despite the increases, Richland County tied Hamilton and Williamson counties for the lowest unemployment rate in southern Illinois at 4.0 percent.
The Olney-Mount Carmel labor market also experienced a decline in employment. Total nonfarm payrolls fell by 1,000 jobs compared to May 2025, with no employment sector posting year-over-year job gains.
Manufacturing experienced the largest decline, losing 675 jobs over the past year. Additional losses were reported in private education and health services, government, trade, transportation and utilities, leisure and hospitality, and other services.
Employment levels remained unchanged in construction, financial activities, information, natural resources and mining, and professional and business services.
State officials say the higher unemployment rates continue to reflect the economic impact of the Champion Laboratories closure in Edwards County earlier this year, which resulted in the loss of hundreds of manufacturing jobs across the region.
