(SPRINGFIELD, IL) — Unemployment increased throughout South Central Illinois when compared with one year ago. Seasonal layoffs influenced the labor market conditions at the end of 2015. The data is not seasonally adjusted. Over the year, employment advances were reported in Retail Trade and Transportation in South Central Illinois. Employment in Health Care Services continued to expand. Payroll gains occurred in Wholesale Trade and Professional-Business Services. Seasonal layoffs in Construction began in November 2015. Payroll losses were reported in Financial Services and Information during 2015. Government and Mining employment steadily declined during the past year. Employment opportunities were advertised in Transportation, Health Care, and Sales at the end of 2015. Job openings also were reported in Office and Administrative Support, Management, Food Preparation, and Production occupations. Workers were needed in Computer Services, Engineering, Food Services, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair occupations in December 2015. The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and seeking employment. A person who exhausts benefits, or is ineligible, still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they actively seek work. In Jefferson County, the December unemployment rate was at 6.7% up from 6.4% a year ago and down .7% from November 2015. Marion County was at 7.2% down from 7.7% in November 2015 and up from 6.9% in December 2014. Other counties showings for November were Clinton County at 4.6%, which is down .4% from November, Hamilton County down from 5.7% to 5.6%, Wayne County up from 7.1% to 7.5%, and Washington County down from 4.3% to 4.0%.