Chicago, Illinois Unemployment Information
Do NOT apply for your Illinois Unemployment benefits too
early.
Make sure your official last
day or separation date is today or later before you apply for unemployment. Many
larger companies may not officially terminate your employment for 2 weeks or
more. If you were not given a written separation date and agreement or are unsure
of the separation date, contact your company human resources department to
clarify the exact last date of employment.
Apply for Illinois Unemployment
benefits in person.
You can apply for
Illinois Unemployment in person or online (see below). To find the closest Illinois
Unemployment Office and career center you can enter your zip code online
at the One-Stop Career Center
service locator.
Enter you zip code, Enter distance you will travel and then Click
Search. You will see one or more One-Stop Career Center choices. If you
click on a name, you will get detailed information about the days and
times of that One-Stop Career Center.
Apply for Illinois Unemployment
benefits on the Internet.
Now you can
File your Illinois Unemployment Insurance
claim via the Internet. Fast, easy, and
no lines. Illinois has improved and expanded internet filing for
just about every type of unemployment claims.
Make sure you have at least 30 minutes of
dedicated time to fill out the online application. You will need your social
security number and employment information.
There are a couple of rather tricky screens and a couple of questions that may
seem odd, but make sure you enter all the information needed until you see a
completed screen. When the online application is completed, you will be given a
confirmation number and effective date of unemployment. Make sure you print this
information or save to your disk drive.
You should receive a letter from the Illinois
Department of Employment Security within 2 weeks to confirm your Internet claim for
unemployment benefits. If you do NOT receive a confirmation letter, you MUST go
to a One-Stop Career Center to
request help with your unemployment claim. (see above - Apply for Illinois
Unemployment benefits in person).
EVERY day - Use the Illinois Skills Match website on the
Internet!
When you first signup for the Illinois Skills match website, remember your
login name
and password. If you cannot remember the login information,
you will need to write an email to the Illinois Skills Match systems
administrator. To find the closest Illinois Unemployment Office and career
center you can enter your zip code online at the One-Stop Career Center
service locator.
Illinois Skills Match - ISM
- This web site holds thousands of available, qualified job seekers, plus
an extensive variety of jobs at every skill level in hundreds of industries and
occupations in Illinois. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ISM automatically selects and matches
the best qualified job seekers with the most suitable employers.
EVERY week - Fill out your Work Search
Record forms
To receive Illinois unemployment
payment you are responsible for maintaining your work
search records on the forms
provided by IDES on a weekly basis, for up to 26
weeks.
You will be required to produce your work search upon request.
Failure to
do so may result in denial of benefits. if you come
into the local office, be sure to bring your work
search record forms with you.
Work Search Records
- Instructions and sample forms. Instructions for completing the work search
form and tables for recording your work search activities. Copies of this form
must be completed for each week of benefits you are claiming.
EVERY 2 weeks - Call TeleServe 1-888-337-7234
to claim your benefits!
To receive unemployment payment you
must certify for benefits every two weeks via the
Automated System called TeleServe.
The phone number for TeleServe is 1-888-337-7234.
TeleServe phone lines are open Monday through
Friday from 7:00AM to 7:00 PM.
You do not have to report severance pay. If your last
employer has given you a severance pay check or scheduled several severance pay
checks, do NOT report this as income wages to Illinois Unemployment. The
severance pay checks are considered a gift to you according to Illinois
Unemployment.
You should have received a Wage Information Sheet
from IDES that listed the call day and call
date to make your first call to TeleServe. If you miss your regular call
day, which will be a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday, you may call on Thursday or
Friday of that same week. You may also call on your regular call day in the
following week (or Thursday or Friday of that week) and still be able to file
your certification. After your telephone call to Teleserve,
you will receive "Statement of Certifications" which will indicate your next
call date.
TeleServe pdf doucment - Information to use TeleServe
Stop Illinois Unemployment
benefits when you find a job.
When you have secured a new job, make sure you
notify your nearest Illinois Unemployment office in person. You cannot do this
online. To find the closest Illinois Unemployment Office and career
center you can enter your zip code online at the One-Stop Career Center
service locator.
Besides reporting the new job, you will need
to call TeleServe 1-888-337-7234 one more time to report your earnings. Report
earnings even if you are paid every 2 weeks or twice a month
and have not received a paycheck.
Illinois Unemployment documents online
Illinois
Department of Employment Security - IDES documents - Helpful documents for
filing for unemployment insurance benefits. Copies of the IDES documents are
also available at your local IDES office.
All the documents are PDF files and require the free
Adobe Reader
software to view, save, and print copies.
Benefit Rights Information
- A few simple rules to avoid Illinois unemployment processing delays.
Tele-Serve (telephone
certification) - Tele-Serve is the automated telephone system used every two
weeks to certify that you are still eligible for Illinois unemployment benefits.
This guide includes detailed instructions for using Tele-Serve.
Summary of Services -
Explanation Illinois unemployment services including unemployment insurance at
the IDES.
Work Search Records
- Instructions and sample forms. Instructions for completing the work search
form and tables for recording your work search activities. Copies of this form
must be completed for each week of benefits you are claiming.
Equal Opportunity Statement
- Notice of IDES responsibility to observe all federal laws for equal
opportunity.
Other Illinois Unemployment web sites
Illinois Department of
Employment Security - IDES - The main web page for Illinois workforce
services: job placement and referrals, unemployment insurance, employment and
training programs, career and labor market information, payroll tax filing, and
more!
Illinois Career Resource Network
- Several tools to let you use career exploration products for elementary,
middle and high school students and adults - for anyone making career decisions.
Illinois Career Resource Network - Career
Information System - Trying to decide on a career? We offer a variety of
career exploration products for elementary, middle and high school students and
adults - for anyone making career decisions.
Illinois Career Resource Network
- Career Click - Provides information on approximately 700 occupations in
Illinois that are divided into sixteen Career Clusters. View occupation
descriptions, salaries, Illinois employment levels, employment forecasts, and
other occupation information. The occupation information will help clarify
career choices.
Illinois Career Resource Network -
Countdown - Interest Survey with 70 questions that will identify occupations
to match your interests. Detailed descriptions of hundreds of occupations
including tasks, wages, settings and outlook.
Illinois Department of Commerce
and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) - The Department of Commerce and Economic
Opportunity (DCEO) is charged with enhancing Illinois' economic competitiveness
by providing technical and financial assistance to businesses, local
governments, workers and families.
Illinois Department of Corrections -
The mission of the Department of Corrections is to protect the public from
criminal offenders through a system of incarceration and supervision which
securely segregates offenders from society, assures offenders of their
constitutional rights and maintains programs to enhance the success of
offenders' reentry into society.
Illinois Department of Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
- Committed to protecting Illinois citizens in their dealing with the industries
and professions that IDFPR regulates and licenses.
Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR)
- The primary responsibility of IDOR is to serve as the tax collection agency
for state government and for local governments. The department also regulates
riverboat gaming and the state�s horse racing industry, administers the state�s
lottery, and regulates the manufacture, distribution and sale of alcoholic
beverages. The department also oversees local property tax assessments, collects
delinquent child support on behalf of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and
Family Services, and functions as the funding agent for the Illinois Housing
Development Authority.
Illinois Labor Market Information - LMI
- Complete labor market reports, data and publications which can be viewed
online or saved on your computer.
Illinois Skills Match - ISM -
Maintains the fastest growing pool of thousands of available, qualified job
seekers, plus an extensive variety of jobs at every skill level in hundreds of
industries and occupations in Illinois. Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week,
ISM automatically selects and matches the best qualified job seekers with the
most suitable employers.
Illinois Workforce Development -
Search Illinois' statewide list of WIA-certified training programs. Compare
performance among Illinois' WIA-certified training programs.
Illinois Workforce Information Center
- Current and historical workforce and occupational information for employers,
job seekers, local workforce planning boards and economic development
professionals.
State of Illinois Website - Governor
Rod R. Blagojevich of Illinois' Website
Don't forget to keep your job and career
skills current!
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