The local unemployment numbers have risen slightly from a year ago according to a report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.  The jobless rate in Champaign was 4.4 percent in February 2024, compared to 4.1 percent last year.  In Vermilion County the rate was 6.1 percent, a slight increase from 6 percent last year.

In the City of Danville, it was 6.6 in 2024, a hike from 6.1 percent last year. In the City of Urbana, the February rate was 4.6 percent.  It was 4 percent a year ago. In the City of Champaign, the rate was 4.3 percent, an increase from 3.8 percent last year.

Despite the higher jobless rate, the local economy had more hires. Employment increased by 3,900 people in Champaign County and by 200 in Vermilion County over the year.