Mt. Vernon Register-News

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October 26, 2012

Local unemployment takes a dive

By TESA GLASS CNHI

MT. VERNON — Unemployment in Jefferson County saw a significant drop from August to September, according to statistics released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

In August, the county was at 9.1 percent unemployment, and September rates dropped .7 percent to 8.1 percent.

According to information from IDES, the September unemployment rate dropped in every metro area in the state — the lowest the rates have been since 2008. The state unemployment rate came in for September at 8.1 percent, the 10th time the rate has dropped in 13 months, down from 8.9 percent in August. The national unemployment rate was reported at 7.6 percent for September, down from 8.2 percent in August.

“Today’s news is encouraging because it reinforces the trend of continued job growth,” IDES Director Jay Rowell said. “What we don’t know is how federal decisions regarding the fiscal cliff will impact Illinois’ economy.”

Jefferson County’s rate of 8.4 percent in September is also a drop from September 2011, when the rate was at 8.9 percent. Most neighboring counties also saw a drop in unemployment during the last month.

Hamilton County came in with 7.1 percent unemployment in September, down from 8.6 percent in August, and down from 8 percent in September 2011.

Tying Hamilton County was Washington County, which also reported a 7.1 percent unemployment rate in September, down from 7.7 percent in August, and down from a year ago, when the county came in with 7.4 percent unemployment.

Wayne County reported a September unemployment rate of 7.7 percent, which fell from 8.5 percent in August. The fall is also significant from a year ago in September, when the rate was at 8.4 percent in Wayne County.

Marion County boasted a 10.8 percent unemployment rate in September, down from 11.5 percent in August and down from 11 percent reported in September 2011.

Franklin County came in at 11.2 percent, down from 12.3 percent in August, and down from a year ago September, when unemployment was at 12 percent.

 

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TESA GLASS/REGISTER-NEWS
Mt. Vernon Police blocked a portion of North Ninth Street Wednesday morning about 11 a.m. after reports the brick facade of the apartment building at the corner of Ninth and Maple streets was falling to the ground. The bricks took out cable lines, awnings and were landing on the street.