Remaining Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment

By Patrick Andriesen

09/22/2021

More than 18 months after Illinois Department of Employment Security offices closed their doors to Illinoisans, all state job centers have reopened for in-person assistance. Job seekers need an appointment, though.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Some Illinois unemployment offices reopen by appointment only

By Patrick Andriesen

09/16/2021

Nearly a year and a half after IDES closed job centers statewide, the unemployment agency began reopening offices for in-person assistance. So far 13 offices have reopened, with only one in Chicago.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Everything you need to know about Illinois unemployment

By Brad Weisenstein

09/13/2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security was ill-prepared to handle record numbers of unemployed workers when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, was slow to distribute federal help, exposed Illinoisans' private information, then lefts thousands on hold awaiting answers. Here's the latest.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, labor, taxes, unemployment

State unemployment fraud could cost Illinoisans more than $1 billion

By Patrick Andriesen

07/28/2021

A recent report from the Illinois Department of Employment Security revealed the state lost at least $14.8 million to fraudsters during the pandemic. But experts warn the full extent of state fraud could be closer to $1 billion.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois unemployment fund faces potential $8 billion deficit

By Patrick Andriesen

06/21/2021

Historic unemployment payouts related to the COVID-19 shutdowns left Illinois’ fund billions in the hole. State leaders did nothing to fix it, meaning there could be reduced benefits for the unemployed or higher taxes on employers trying to recover.

TAGS: deficit, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois ranks 7th worst in U.S. for pandemic unemployment assistance rollout

By Patrick Andriesen

06/08/2021

Illinois was among the nation’s worst for delays in helping gig workers and the self-employed receive pandemic assistance unemployment payments, a federal audit found. Rampant fraud and inadequate reporting was also discovered nationwide.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois, unemployment

Illinois recovery stalls as state sheds 4,000 private sector jobs in April

By Bryce Hill

05/21/2021

While total payrolls were up 300, private sector jobs took a beating in April and lost 4,000 positions. Illinois’ labor market completely stalled as the national economic recovery slowed.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois, jobs, recession

Thousands of Illinoisans await calls from state unemployment agency

By Brad Weisenstein, Patrick Andriesen

05/07/2021

The Illinois Department of Employment Security had a backlog of 156K calls in February. Now, over a year into the pandemic, its offices remain closed to the public and 43K Illinoisans are still awaiting a call from IDES.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois, JB Pritzker

552K Illinoisans getting or seeking unemployment benefits a year into COVID-19

By Brad Weisenstein

03/18/2021

A year into COVID-19 and 552,000 Illinois workers are still in need of jobs. Despite that, Gov. J.B. Pritzker is asking for as much as $2 billion in new taxes on the small businesses that create most Illinois jobs.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs, unemployment

More Illinoisans collect unemployment as nation recovers

By Brad Weisenstein

01/08/2021

Bans on indoor dining and bar service continue to hurt Illinois jobs numbers, placing the state low in a national recovery ranking.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois, jobs, unemployment