Unemployment rates went down from March to April across much of southeastern Illinois. That according to individual county figures released this week by the Illinois Department of Employment Security. The Lawrence County jobless rate in April was at 6.1% down from 6.3% in March. Wabash County was at 4.6% in April down from 5.2%, Richland County at 4.4% down from 4.6% and Crawford County 5.2% in April down from 5.6%. The IDES says the drops are being attributed to continued regional job growth with total non-farm employment in April of 2021 increased by over 3700 jobs compared to 2020. Employment gains were seen in Leisure and Hospitality, Trade, Utilities and Transportation, Education and Health Services, Government, Construction, Professional and Business Services and Manufacturing.