(SPRINGFIELD, IL) — The Illinois Department of Employment Security has released the results of the March unemployment rates. Workforce conditions improved in March 2017 throughout South Central Illinois compared to one year ago. All eighteen counties reported a decline in unemployment. The data is not seasonally adjusted. Favorable weather conditions boosted Construction activity. Employment in Business-Professional Services and Leisure-Hospitality increased in March 2017. Over the year, employment gains were reported in Manufacturing, Transportation and Health Services in South Central Illinois.  Mining, Information, and State and Local Government employment continued to steadily decrease in South Central Illinois. Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Sales, Transportation, and Office and Administrative Support in the spring of 2017. Many job openings were advertised in Management, Food Preparation, Engineering, and Production occupations. Workers were needed in Health Care Support, Finance, and Installation, Maintenance, and Repair. 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, March unemployment was at 5.4 percent, down .8% from February and 1.5% from March 2016. Marion County was at 5.5 percent, down .7% from February, and down 1.4% from last year. Hamilton County was at 5.1 percent, down .7% from a month ago, and down from a 7.9% percent showing for March 2016. Clinton County was at 3.7 percent, down .6% from last month, and down 1.5% percent from last year. Washington County was at 3.1 percent for the month, down .4% from last month, and down 1.1% from last year. Wayne County’s unemployment rate is at 6.7 percent, down 1% from last month, and down 2.3% from last year at this time.