The unemployment rate in Vermilion County has risen according to the latest reports.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the jobless rate increased nearly one-and-a-half percent. January’s rate was 8.6 percent compared to 7.3 percent in December. During January of this year the Illinois Department of Employment Security says there were an estimated 3,000 unemployed in the labor force in Vermilion County.

Despite unemployment numbers being up, the Conference Board reports area employers advertised for 4,300 positions and around 81-percent were seeking full-time employees.