(SPRINGFIELD, IL) — The Illinois Department of Employment Security has released the results of the June unemployment rates. Workforce conditions continued to improve in summer 2017 throughout South Central Illinois compared to one year ago. Students entered the labor market seeking primarily temporary and part-time Recreation and Retail work. All eighteen counties reported a decline in unemployment. The data is not seasonally adjusted. Employment gains were reported in Retail Trade and Leisure-Hospitality this summer. Over the year, employment advances were reported in Manufacturing, Retail Trade, Professional-Business Services, and Health Services in South Central Illinois. Mining and State and Local Government payrolls steadily declined during the past year. Numerous employment opportunities were available in Health Care, Sales, Transportation, and Office and Administrative Support in early summer 2017. Many job openings were advertised in Engineering, Management, Food Preparation, and Production occupations. Workers were needed in Health Care Support, Installation, Maintenance, and Repair, Computer, Business-Finance. Some outdoor jobs were available in Construction and Building and Grounds Maintenance. 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, June unemployment was at 5.9%, down .4% from last year. Marion County was at 5.5%, down .7% from 2016. Clinton County was at 3.6%, down .5% from last year.  Hamilton County was at 4.5% down 1.1% from 2016.  Washington County was at 3.2%, down .3% from last year.  Wayne County is at 6.4% for the month, down 2.1% from 2016.