Unemployment Rises Significantly in Danville, Vermilion County; Lost Quaker Oats Jobs Now Factored In

For the second straight month, unemployment is up in both Vermilion County and Danville; and this time it’s a more significant jump, keeping in mind that those who lost jobs when Danville’s Quaker Oats plant closed were officially considered on Quaker’s payroll through June 8^th.

Vermilion County’s numbers show the unemployment rate rising from 5.6% in May to 7.5% in June.  Vermilion County’s rate was back at 5.9% in June of 2023.

For the City of Danville, the unemployment rate increased from 6.2% in May to 8.6% in June.  Danville’s rate stood at 6.9% in June of last year.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security says the latest numbers have not been seasonally adjusted.

Also in Vermilion County, total non-farm employment held steady comparing June of 2023 to June of 2024.  Looking at specific categories: Private Education and Health Services were up by 200 jobs; while Mining and Construction, Retail Trade, and Transportation-Warehousing-Utilities were all up by 100 jobs.

On the negative side: Manufacturing and Government both dropped by 200 jobs from one year ago, while Leisure and Hospitality dropped by 100 jobs.

In looking at local reaction to the Quaker – influenced increase in the unemployment numbers, Vermilion Advantage CEO Mike Marron says on one hand it is certainly not a surprise.  But on the other hand, the reaction of the community to Quaker’s closing has been very good; and work will continue on helping individuals to their new paths with current job prospects, and also bringing more new opportunities to the area.

AUDIO: I do think that because there was such a positive response with the American Jobs Center, and Danville Area Community College, and there are some good opportunities in the community; I do think those numbers will adjust back down in the future, and we’ll see some positive change.

Chuck Jones from Vermilion County Works agrees that the June numbers were expected, and recovery work will continue.

AUDIO: It won’t change overnight.  But we do expect, with the services that we’re providing; through training, through individuals who are going back to work; we’re hopeful that we’re going to see a slow, gradual reduction in those numbers as the months move forward.

Jones estimates that by the time the new fall semester begins at Danville Area Community College, at least 90 former Quaker employees, around 20% of the entire Quaker workforce, should be involved in various DACC training programs, looking at new pursuits such as CDL licenses and industrial certifications.