WOOD RIVER — The unemployment rate for the Metro East topped 5 percent in August, the first time that has happened for in several years, according to Tony Fuhrmann, director of Madison County Employment and Training.According to the latest figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security and U.S. Bureau of Labor, unemployment in the Illinois Section of the St. Louis MSA, which includes most of the Metro East, was 5.2 percent in August, up from 4.9 percent in June. Last August the unemployment rate stood at 4 percent, and had dropped as low as 3.7 percent in April and May. Statewide, the unemployment rate rose to 5.3 percent, up from 4.5 percent in July and 4.8 percent in August 2022.
“That number surprises me,” Fuhrmann said, noting they have not heard of any major layoffs since the Walgreens distribution center earlier this year. “I’m not hearing of any big thing that would have happened to push that up.
“Those numbers don’t include anything from U.S. Steel yet,” he added.
U.S. Steel announced earlier this week it was idling the “B” blast furnace at Granite City Works because of a slowdown in demand. It is expected to impact several hundred workers but will not go into effect until late September or early October.
Fuhrmann said part of the problem is trying to determine the new “post-pandemic” normal.
“It may be that everything is starting to stabilize, leveling off to where it’s going to be,” he said.
Fuhrmann added that it is difficult to gauge exactly what will happen over the next few years.
“What industries are going away, what emergent industries are there?” he said. “What does that mean?
State officials focused on the increase in the number of jobs in each area.
Statewide, the number of jobs increased in the past year to 77,700 to 6.153 million. In the Metro East job numbers increased by 1,300 to 239,200.
“Steady, consistent job growth statewide continues to boost a strengthening Illinois economy,” said Deputy Governor Andy Manar of Bunker Hill. “A growing labor market and newly created jobs are giving workers and jobseekers the opportunity to reenter the workforce and pivot career choices that better suit the talent and diversity of the state workforce.”
Unemployment figures were up across the board in the St. Louis MSA.
Madison County increased to 5.2 percent from 4.9 percent in July, and 3.9 percent in August 2022. Jersey County showed an increase to 4.7 percent from 4.4 percent the prior month and 3.5 percent the prior year.
Bond County’s unemployment rate grew to 5.1 percent from 4.5 percent from July to August, and from 3.8 percent in August 2022; Calhoun County to 4.8 percent from 4.7 percent, and 3.8 percent last year; Clinton County to 4 percent from 3.8 percent and 2.8 percent, respectively; Macoupin County to 4.9 percent from 4.6 percent and 3.6 percent; Monroe County to 3.9 percent from 3.7 percent and 2.9 percent; and St. Clair County to 5.8 from 5.4 percent and 4.5 percent.
Green County, which is outside the St. Louis MSA, remained steady in July and August at 5 percent, and 4 percent one year ago.
For information about employment and workforce training opportunities, call 618-296-4301, visit the Madison County website at https://www.co.madison.il.us/ or visit the department’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MCETD.
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