The latest unemployment figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security continue to reflect the impact of the Champion Laboratories closure in Albion, although several area counties saw improvement from March levels.
Edwards County recorded the region’s highest unemployment rate at 11 percent in April, down from 14.9 percent in March but significantly higher than the 3.2 percent rate reported one year ago. The county’s jobless rate has increased 7.8 percentage points over the past year.
Elsewhere, Wayne County posted an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent, while Wabash and Lawrence counties each reported rates of 4.6 percent. Richland County’s rate was 3.9 percent, and Clay County recorded 4 percent unemployment.
Across the Olney-Mount Carmel labor market area, nonfarm payroll employment fell by 950 jobs compared to April 2025. Manufacturing accounted for the largest decline, losing 650 jobs, largely due to the shutdown of Champion Laboratories in Edwards County.
Additional job losses were reported in education and health services, trade, transportation and utilities, government, financial activities, leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services.
Natural resources and mining was the only sector to post gains, adding 25 jobs over the past year.
While unemployment rates improved from March in several counties, most remain above year-ago levels, with Edwards County continuing to feel the greatest impact from the loss of manufacturing employment.