Audit reveals Illinois lost nearly $2 billion to COVID-19 unemployment fraud

By Patrick Andriesen

06/17/2022

A state audit found the Illinois Department of Employment Security lost to fraud more than half of the $3.6 billion in federal COVID-19 dollars earmarked for out-of-work Illinoisans. The full scope of the unemployment fraud remains unknown.

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

IDES report detailing scope of Illinois unemployment fraud remains unpublished one year later

By Patrick Andriesen

02/14/2022

Nearly a year after Illinois lawmakers requested a comprehensive audit of state unemployment fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic, IDES, the state agency in charge of issuing assistance, remains unable to tabulate how much money was lost to scammers.

TAGS: fraud, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security

Illinois ending debit card payments for unemployment benefits

By Patrick Andriesen

12/06/2021

Illinois is ending its debit card option and going to paper checks for unemployment benefits, unless recipients arrange for direct deposit. The state has yet to address a $5.8 billion deficit in the unemployment fund.

TAGS: IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, unemployment

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