Unemployment edges up in Metro East, but the future looks steady
Scott Cousins Hearst Illinois
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WOOD RIVER December’s unemployment rate edged up from November but remained dramatically better than the high figures of last spring.
According to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the unemployment rate for December in the St. Louis metro area which includes Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties was 5.4 percent. That number was up from 5 percent in November and 4.7 percent in October, but still smaller than September’s 7.7 percent figure.
The statewide unemployment figure jumped a full percentage point to 7.5 percent, but was still down from September’s 9.8 percent.
County board acts on several road-related issues
Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com
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EDWARDSVILLE Several road-related projects moved forward after action by the Madison County Board at Wednesday’s regular meeting.
The board approved a letter of understanding to participate with the Illinois Department of Transportation in the improvement of Illinois 159 from the Macoupin County Line to a point .3 miles north of Illinois 140, and a portion of Moro Road.
Also approved was an agreement/funding resolution for Phase 2 of Wood River Avenue in East Alton.
The county is providing $125,000 for the project, which begins at Second Street extending north to Third Street, and includes pavement removal and replacement, store sewers, curbs and gutters, and sidewalks.
Riverbend jobless tally up slightly from October
Scott Cousins, scousins@thetelegraph.com
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WOOD RIVER Unemployment rates for November showed a slight uptick from the previous month, but are still dramatically better than this year’s high rates due to the coronavirus pandemic.
This comes as the Leisure and Hospitality sector, which includes restaurants, has lost 27,000 jobs in November alone due to ongoing coronavirus mitigations.
According to data from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the unemployment rate for November in the St. Louis metropolitan statistical area which includes Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties was 5 percent. That’s up from 4.7 percent in October but lower than the 7.7 percent reported in September.