Unemployment ticks up

The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday that the unemployment rate ticked up to 4.8% in February. The national unemployment rate was 3.9% in February.

Based on preliminary data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, nonfarm payrolls increased by 23,100 last month. In February, the industry sectors with the largest over-the-month job gains included government, construction and leisure and hospitality.

Pritzker to travel to California

Gov. J.B. Pritzker will be departing Sunday for an economic development mission to California to promote Illinois to business and film industry leaders.

Pritzker, alongside representatives from the Illinois Film Office and Illinois Production Alliance, will meet with film studios and distributors to discuss increased opportunities for investment in Illinois.

Officials said the governor will depart to Los Angeles for several days of meetings with film studio executives and production companies to discuss Illinois’ tax credit for film production and other incentives for the film industry.

DMV outage

The Illinois Secretary of State’s Office said systems are working normally after a nationwide network outage.

Officials said the outage impacted the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators Thursday, and while DMVs experienced a light delay in services, there were no major issues.