SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Employment Security has released the results of the March unemployment rates.

Unemployment increased throughout South Central Illinois when compared to one year ago.

Seasonal layoffs affected the labor market conditions in the first quarter of 2016. The data is not seasonally adjusted.

Over the year, employment advances were reported in Retail Trade and Health Services in South Central Illinois.

Employment in Transportation continued to increase. Payroll gains also occurred in Manufacturing and Professional-Business Services. Seasonal employment expansions occurred in Construction and Leisure-Hospitality.

Mining and Government employment steadily declined during the past year. In Marion County March unemployment was at 7.4 percent, down from 7.8 percent in February, but up from 6.6 percent from a year ago.

In Jefferson County, it was at 7.3 percent, down from 7.6% in February, but up from 6.3 percent in March 2015.

Clinton County was at 5.6 percent, down .7% from last month, but up .9 percent from last year.

Washington County was at 4.5 percent, down from 4.9 percent last month and up from 4.1 percent last year.

Wayne County has the 4th highest unemployment rate in the state at 9.5 percent, down 5% from last month and up 2.6% from last year at this time.