The March unemployment rate in Illinois was 5.1 percent, up one-tenth of a percentage point from February and up a half-percentage point from a year ago according to figures released Thursday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Total nonfarm payrolls in the state increased by about 8,400 over the month but were 4,300 lower than a year ago.
The largest job increases were in private education and health services.
The largest declines were in trade, transportation and utilities.
