Unemployment figures jumped eight-tenths of a percent over the past month in Marion County according to the most recent figures from the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

The unemployment figures increased from 11.9 percent in September to 12.7 percent in October. A far cry from the 9.6 percent unemployment rate a year ago. Officials estimate the number of unemployed rose 170 people last month to 2,330. Dennis Hoffman with IDES says the jump wasn't unexpected, noting that seasonal jobs often lay-off workers in the winter. He does expect employment to pick up when spring rolls around.

Other area counties saw similar increases to unemployment in the same time frame. Washington County rose from 8 percent to 8.3 percent, Wayne County's rate rose from 9.7 to 9.9, while unemployment in Clay County nearly jumped a full percent from 11.4 to 12.2 percent. Jefferson County's rate increased from 10 percent to 10.6 percent and Fayette County topped the list with unemployment at 12.9 percent, compared to September's rate of 11.6 percent.

The only county showing a slight drop in unemployment was Clinton County, with the rate falling from 7.9 percent to 7.6 percent.

Job losses occurred in nearly all industrial sectors, with health care the lone field continuing to show opportunities.