ILLINOIS — Unemployment in several Central Illinois counties saw a noticeable increase in May 2025, according to new data released by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). While the year-over-year figures may suggest overall improvement, local officials warn the numbers may not reflect the full picture.
Vermilion County’s Rate Increases to 4.6%
In Vermilion County, the unemployment rate rose from 4.3% in April to 4.6% in May, according to the report from WCIA. While that figure is down from 5.4% in May 2024, Tilton Mayor Bill Wear expressed concern that the statistics are masking an ongoing employment struggle.
“It’s not improving; it’s actually getting worse,” Wear said. “If you depopulate, then that makes a difference on your unemployment.”
Mayor Wear suggested that if more people are moving away from the area, a falling unemployment percentage doesn’t necessarily mean more jobs — it may simply reflect a shrinking workforce.
Other Central IL Counties See Similar Trend
The May report also showed similar upticks across neighboring counties:
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Coles County: +0.5% increase in unemployment
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Moultrie County: +0.5% increase
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Champaign County: +0.4% increase
These numbers indicate a regional labor challenge, even as the broader statewide data may continue to improve on paper.
Population Shifts May Be Skewing the Data
Mayor Wear’s comments highlight a growing issue for smaller towns and rural regions — population decline is making economic measurements harder to interpret. A drop in total residents can artificially lower the jobless rate, even if the actual number of people without work hasn’t changed.
These insights have sparked renewed discussions around job creation strategies and retaining local talent in Central Illinois communities.
Are you seeing more businesses open or close in your area? Share what the job market looks like in your part of Illinois at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
