Below you will find information from the Illinois Department of Employment Security as it regards to the CARE Act and state unemployment. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me via email or on my cell phone.

Additionally, if any of your constituents have specific questions or issues navigating unemployment, please have them email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we will try to assist them as best as possible.

Where do I file for benefits?
We recommend filing for benefits online at www.ides.illinois.gov.
If you have any questions, contact IDES Claimant Services at (800) 244-5631.

What information do I need to file for benefits?

• Your driver’s license or state ID.
• Social Security number and name as it appears on your Social Security card.
• If you are claiming your spouse or child as a dependent, the social security number, date(s) of birth and name(s) of dependent(s).
• The name of all employers you worked for in the last 18 months; the beginning and ending dates of employment for these employers; the mailing address of each employer; phone number and separation reason for each employer.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen, your Alien Registration information.

How much in benefits will I receive and how long does it last?
Your benefit amount is based on your recent income. The maximum benefit amount is $484 per week. Those who have a qualifying dependent receive an additional amount. Benefits are paid for up to 26 weeks. You will be notified if the federal government approves you for an extension.

When do I certify for benefits?
After filing your claim for unemployment insurance benefits, you will receive a notice titled “UI Finding”. This notice will indicate your first certification date, which is approximately 2 weeks from the date you submit your claim. You will be required to certify your eligibility to receive payment on the date indicated on the notice and every two weeks thereafter in order to receive payment.

How do I certify for benefits?
The best way to certify for benefits is by going online to www.ides.illinois.gov/certify. You can also certify by calling (312) 338-4337.

When do I receive payment and how do I receive it?

After completing your certification and your responses are approved, benefits are received within 2-3 business days. You will be issued a debit card automatically. You may, however, sign up for direct deposit when you file for benefits, or at any point thereafter.

What are Rapid Response Services?
Rapid Response Services are available to employers who are planning or have gone through a permanent closure or mass layoff, or a natural or other disaster, that results in mass job dislocation. The State Dislocated Worker Unit coordinates with employers to provide information to workers and employers about employment and retraining services designed to help participants retain employment when feasible, or obtain re-employment as soon as possible. For more information, visit Rapid Response Services for Businesses or contact your local Illinois workNet Center.

What actions are being taken to address the high volume of calls at IDES claims services line?
IDES hired additional staff and expanded their business hours to vulture the extremely high volume of calls. The caller is advised to try their call again if they get a busy signal. When the call gets through, there will be an average wait of 20-30 minutes before they speak to a specialist.

If a business decides to shut down voluntarily before mandated, will staff be able to qualify for unemployment? 
If a business decides to shut down, employees would be potentially eligible for benefits and are advised to open a claim as soon as possible

Yesterday, the Governor announced that he extended the tax filing deadline to July 15, 2020. Moreover, he launched three new programs:

1. Hospitality Emergency Grant Program
2. Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund
3. Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund

A brief synopsis of each of these programs is below. Additionally, at the bottom of this email is the link to the webpage with more information.

My best to you and your family, and most importantly, stay healthy!

Mike

Hospitality Emergency Grant Program

To help hospitality businesses make ends meet in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, DCEO is launching the Hospitality Emergency Grant Program with $14 million drawn from funds originally budgeted for job training, tourism promotion, and other purposes. Grant funds are available to support working capital like payroll and rent, as well as job training, retraining, and technology to support shifts in operations, like increased pick-up and delivery. Bars and restaurants that generated between $500K and $1M in revenue in 2019 are eligible for up to $25,000, and bars and restaurants that generated less than $500K in revenue in 2019 are eligible for up to $10,000. Hotels that generated less than $8M in revenue in 2019 are eligible for up to $50,000.

Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund

DCEO and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) are establishing the Illinois Small Business Emergency Loan Fund to offer small businesses low-interest loans of up to $50,000.

Businesses located outside of the City of Chicago with fewer than 50 workers and less than $3 million in revenue in 2019 will be eligible to apply. Successful applicants will owe nothing for six months and will then begin making fixed payments at a below-market interest rate for the remainder of a five-year loan term.

Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program

To support small businesses in downstate and rural counties across Illinois, DCEO is repurposing $20 million in CDBG funds to stand up the Downstate Small Business Stabilization Program. This Fund will offer small businesses of up to 50 employees the opportunity to partner with their local governments to obtain grants of up to $25,000 in working capital. These grants will be offered on a rolling basis.

You can find out more information here: https://bit.ly/2UzqcDY

Need emergency child care AND you are an essential worker?

The State is mindful that child care is a critical emergency service that is necessary for essential workers.

The Child Care Resource and Referral System is collecting information from programs (centers and homes) that are offering emergency child care for children of essential workers, to connect families needing care, to available care.

We want to stress that these services should be provided only when essential workers have no other options available. The goal is still to practice social distancing and to shelter-in place whenever possible.

The CCR&R System is committed to supporting our child care providers through this health emergency, and appreciate all that you are doing to support children, families and your communities.

For more information: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc-rPw5zwqr3SbBuLwpS4JfXUzHtgf9yW-uoX44GiWGDqMRcQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR3FGZN6RNS1QmZLaw-5vTxJQFXj8pUx3VFH7GNBg9ix_vu0bYPLwTcvQz4