The unemployment rate is up locally from last year’s levels according to a report from the Department of Employment Security.

The August jobless rate in Vermilion County was 7.1 percent, compared to 5.1 percent in 2022.  The Champaign County rate stood at 5.6 percent, an increase from 4.1 percent a year ago.

The unemployment rate in Danville stood at 8.4 percent.  It was 6.1 percent in 2022. The August number in Urbana was 6.1 percent, up from 4.6 percent last year.  In the City of Champaign, it is 5.8 percent, an increase from 4.3 percent a year ago.

The number of jobs, however, increased.  In Champaign County Nonfarm employment increased by 1,600 compared to last August.  In Vermilion County, Nonfarm employment increased by 600 compared to last August.