(IOCI RADIO) – Illinois is making more headway in paying down Illinois’ unemployment insurance loan.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Tuesday a significant payment of $450 million will be put towards the remaining $1.8 billion borrowed from the federal government. The loan was taken out to help meet the demand for unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The governor said Illinois’ growing economy left the state “some wiggle room” to make the payment.