•March 23, 2016•

Moultrie County continues to beat the state unemployment rates for east central Illinois.

Labor bureau statistics show Moultrie County with a 5.8% unemployment rate increased from 4.6% a year ago.

Douglas County next door runs second at 6.4% in a tie with McLean County.

Sangamon County is up to 6.6% for third.

Coles County jumped to 7.5% in 2016 from 6.4% a year ago. DeWitt County was 7.6%, Clark County 7.8% along with Iroquois.

Edgar County jumped to 8.1% from 6.9% a year ago with Macon County having the highest area unemployment rate at 8.7% up from 7.8% last year.

Area employers advertised for 4,800 positions in January and approximately 83 percent sought full-time employment, according to Help Wanted OnLine data compiled by the Conference Board, which is a global, independent business membership and research association. Numerous job opportunities were available in Transportation, Health Care, Sales, and Office Support Occupations at the beginning of 2016.      Login or Subscribe to read the rest of this story.