Unemployment rate unchanged
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that nonfarm payrolls were almost unchanged, while the unemployment rate was unchanged at 4.9% in January.
Only four states have a higher unemployment rate than Illinois. The national unemployment rate was 4.0% in January.
No threat after airport evacuated
One of the terminals at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport in Springfield was evacuated Wednesday after the TSA identified a suspicious item.
The item was spotted during a routine passenger screening. A technical response team was called to the terminal and after investigating, no threat was found.
Airport officials said some flights were delayed by about an hour because of the incident.
Trout season opening
The 2025 Illinois spring trout fishing season will open Saturday, April 5, at 58 ponds, lakes and streams throughout the state.
The Illinois Catchable Trout Program receives funding support by those who use the program through the sale of inland trout stamps.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources stocks more than 80,000 rainbow trout each year in bodies of water where trout fishing is permitted during the spring season. An additional 80,000 trout will be stocked for the fall trout season, which begins in October.
