Wabash County's unemployment rate continues at more than 9 percent, according to Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The latest IDES monthly report shows December's jobless rate was 9.3 percent, up from 9.1 percent the previous month.

The state average is 5.7 percent, which is one-half percent higher than the national unemployment average. For the Southern Economic Development Region, the IDES puts the latest available average unemployment at 6.1 percent.

Unemployment is expected to moderately increase this winter as season layoffs dominate the labor market, according to IDES.

Most counties in Southern Illinois have experienced less unemployment compared to one year ago, reflecting the gradually-improving workforce situation that has persisted since spring of 2004.

That trend has not held for Wabash County, where the jobless rate has increased .2 percent over the same December level a year earlier.

December unemployment figures for surrounding areas include 4.1 percent in Edwards County up from 3.4 percent; 6.1 percent in Lawrence County, down from 6.3 percent; 5 percent in Richland County, down from 5.6 percent; and 5 percent in Wayne County, up from 4.8 percent.

The IDES Web site for Illinois Workforce and Career Information is: www.ILWorkInfo.com.