New unemployment figures show a rise in unemployment across southeastern Illinois from November to December of 2025.
According to the latest data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the Olney-Mt Carmel region saw total nonfarm payrolls decline during the period. The only sector posting job gains was Private Education and Health Services.
Area county unemployment rates also increased over the month during the reporting period. Lawrence County was at 5% joblessness in November and rose to 5.8% in December. State labor officials noted that seasonal factors and other broader economic trends had an influence on those year-end employment figures.
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