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Illinois Unemployment

Illinois Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Illinois unemployment insurance benefits constitute a state-operated unemployment insurance program designed to partially replace lost wages when an Illinois resident loses employment through no fault of their own. 

Like other types of insurance, the program exists to activate during an emergency – when workers are temporarily or permanently out of a job, or if labor hours are dramatically reduced because of a lack of work.

The program can help guarantee that, as long as a claimant continues to meet eligibility requirements as outlined in Illinois law, that worker will have some level of income while he or she looks for a new job.

Illinois Unemployment Services

Websiteillinois.gov
Private WebsiteIllinois Unemployment
Phone800-244-5631
Apply OnlineFile a Claim
Weekly CertificationFile a Weekly Claim
Appeal a DenialRequest a Hearing
Find a Local OfficeCareer Center Locations
Report FraudBenefits Fraud
Coronavirus UpdatesCOVID-19 Assistance

How To Qualify for Illinois Unemployment Benefits

As specified by Illinois law, unemployed workers who meet the following eligibility requirements may receive UI benefits:

  • You are unemployed through no fault of their own
  • You paid a minimum level of wages during the base period for review as outlined by Illinois law
  • You are willing, available and able to work, as evidenced by being registered for work with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)

Benefit Payments and Duration

Base PeriodFirst 4 of the last 5 completed quarters
Alt Base PeriodLast 4 completed quarters
Duration of BenefitsWeekly PaymentMaximum Benefits Amount (1 year)
MinMax
26 weeks$51$669$17,342

How Do I Apply for Illinois Unemployment Benefits?

It’s important to submit your initial claim for unemployment insurance benefits immediately after losing your job or having work hours significantly reduced.

The easiest way to submit your UI benefits claim is online or at an IDES office. If you aren’t sure whether you meet eligibility requirements, it’s a good idea to call IDES Claimant Services at 800-244-5631 and speak to a representative.

Please note that part of the initial claim process is registering with the Illinois Employment Service system at illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov. You also may register at an IDES office.

Managing Your Unemployment Benefits

One of the key elements of managing your regular unemployment benefits is your bi-weekly certification. Certifying is a process you will complete for the first time two weeks after you have filed your initial claim. To continue receiving unemployment compensation, you must certify that you are available and actively seeking work. In addition, you will need to report any income earned during the two-week benefit period.

During the process, you will answer basic questions about your employment status. The best way to do so is online. You may submit weekly certification online Monday through Friday, from 3 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

You also may file your unemployment claim by telephone using Tele-Serve.

How Do I Appeal a Decision?

If you disagree with a decision regarding your claim, you have the option to request an appeal. You will receive an official notice of your decision, which will outline the specific steps you should take to request an appeal, including the mailing address and fax number for submitting your written request for appeal.

Illinois law stipulates that you must file your appeal within 30 days of the mailing date on your decision notice.

Reporting Fraud

Unemployment fraud, including identity theft, is a significant crime that lessens the integrity of Illinois’ unemployment insurance benefits program and diverts resources from Illinois workers who need them. 

Whether it constitutes providing false information, stealing another’s identity, or failing to report income, a fraudulent claim for unemployment insurance is taken seriously in Illinois. You are strongly encouraged to make a report if you suspect someone of fraudulently collecting unemployment assistance.

Illinois Unemployment Office Locations

Edwards County Unemployment Office334 Industrial DriveRoute 4 Box 136Albion, IL 62806618-445-2379
Union County Unemployment Office1000 N. Main StreetPO Box 439Anna, IL 62906618-833-7431
Cook County Unemployment Office723 Algonquin RoadJim Ballee Resource CenterArlington Heights, IL 60005847-437-9424
Kane County Unemployment Office143 First StreetBatavia, IL 60510630-762-2120
Cass County Unemployment Office109 White Pine LaneBeardstown, IL 62618217-323-1859
Unemployment Office – Belleville4519 West Main Street, FL 001Belleville, IL 62226618-277-3090
The Workforce Connection – Belvidere530 S. State St.Suite 105Belvidere, IL 61008815-547-9616
Kankakee Workforce Services450 N. KinzieKankakee Community CollegeBradley, IL 60915815-802-8960
Illinois Employment and Training Center2207 Poplar StreetCairo, IL 62914618-734-9034
Career Link – Fulton County111 N. Main StreetFulton SquareCanton, IL 61520309-647-2946
Unemployment Office – Carlinville116 S. Plum St.P.O. Box 260Carlinville, IL 62626217-854-9642
Unemployment Office – Clinton County930 Fairfax StreetCarlyle, IL 62231618-594-4520
Unemployment Office – Carmi1700 College Ave.Carmi, IL 62821618-252-6020
Unemployment Office – Carterville700 Logan College DriveCarterville, IL 62918618-985-2828
Unemployment Office – Centralia2005 East McCord St.Centralia, IL 62801618-545-3250
Unemployment Office – Centralia27210 College RoadCentralia, IL 62801618-545-3113
Unemployment Office – Champaign1307 North Mattis Ave.Room 202Champaign, IL 61821217-531-8282
Career Center – Randolph County1 Taylor StreetSuite 104Chester, IL 62233618-826-4709
America Works of Illinois, Inc.205 W. Randolph StreetSuite 920Chicago, IL 60606312-726-5627
Chicago Workforce Center4314 S. Cottage Grove AveSecond FloorChicago, IL 60653773-538-5627
Unemployment Office – Pilsen1700 W. 18th St.Chicago, IL 60608312-994-8300
Northside American Job Center1145 W. WilsonSuite 1917Chicago, IL 60640773-334-4747
Job Center – Daley College7500 S. Pulaski Rd.Building 100Chicago, IL 60652773-884-7000
American Job Center – Daley College7500 South Pulaski RoadBuilding 100Chicago, IL 60652773-884-7000
Westside American Job Center605 S. Albany AvenueFirst FloorChicago, IL 60612773-722-3885
American Job Center at Prairie State College202 S. Halsted St.ATOC Building, Suite 148Chicago Heights, IL 60411708-709-7975
Vermilion County Workforce Development Center407 North FranklinDanville, IL 61832217-442-0296
Illinois workNet Center – Decatur757 West Pershing RoadDecatur, IL 62526217-875-8750
DeKalb Workforce Development Office650B North Peace RoadDekalb, IL 60115815-901-0177
BEST Inc. – Dixon Access Site112 E. 2nd St.Dixon, IL 61021815-288-1260
Illinois workNet Center – Effingham2311 Hoffman Dr.Effingham, IL 62401217-342-4382
Kane County – Unemployment Office270 N. GroveElgin, IL 60120847-742-2411
Hardin/Pope County Affiliate Center147 North Main StreetElizabethtown, IL 62931618-287-8880
Career Link – Woodford County1950 S. Main StreetEureka, IL 61530309-467-4445
Wayne County Satellite2004 W. Delaware StreetFairfield, IL 62837618-842-2962
The Workforce Connection – Freeport27 W. StephensonFreeport, IL 61032815-315-1830
Unemployment Office – Galena9483 W. US Highway 20Galena, IL 61036815-777-6177
Lake County Workforce Development19351 W. Washington St.College of Lake County C175Grayslake, IL 60030847-986-1511
Southwestern Illinois workNet – Bond County209 North Third St.,Suite CGreenville, IL 62246618-545-3473
Saline County Unemployment Office14 Veterans DriveHarrisburg, IL 62946618-252-2680
Career Link – Mason County114 W. Adams StreetHavana, IL 62644309-543-1035
Career Link – Marshall County509 Front StreetHenry, IL 61537309-364-4120
The Job Center – Jacksonville814 West StreetJacksonville, IL 62650217-243-5846
The Job Center – Jerseyville301 West ExchangeJerseyville, IL 62052618-498-1778
IDES North Chicago Street250 North Chicago StreetJoliet, IL 60432815-740-5101
Workforce Center of Will County2400 Glenwood AvenueJoliet, IL 60435815-727-4444
Pulaski County Satellite – Karnak530 West WashingtonP.O. Box 298Karnak, IL 62956618-634-2201
Illinois Worknet Center – Lawrenceville700 E State StreetP.O. Box 96Lawrenceville, IL 62439618-943-4442
Illinois workNet Center – Logan County2201 Woodlawn RoadHeartland Community College #200Lincoln, IL 62656217-558-4287
workNet Center- DuPage2525 Cabot DriveSuite 302Lisle, IL 60532630-955-2030
The Job Center- Litchfield, An Illinois workNet Center108 E Columbian Blvd. SouthUnit  BLitchfield, IL 62056217-324-2640
McDonough County Workforce Office440 N. LafayetteSuite 110Macomb, IL 61455309-837-1280
Unemployment Office – Marion3000 W DeYoung St Suite 800-BMarion, IL 62959618-998-9570
CEFS, An Illinois workNet Partner – Mattoon109 N. 16th St.Mattoon, IL 61938217-279-0371
West Suburban Cook County American Job Center1701 South 1st AvenueSuite 10Maywood, IL 60153708-223-2652
Hamilton County Unemployment Office110 E. JeffersonMcLeansboro, IL 62859618-643-2161
Massac County Satellite1 Superman Square Room 1CMetropolis, IL 62960618-524-2941
Warren County Workforce Office1025 S. 2nd StreetMonmouth, IL 61462309-734-4745
Illinois workNet Center – Piatt County1115 N. State St.Suite 111Monticello, IL 61856217-762-8404
Grundy Workforce Services725 School StreetMorris, IL 60450815-942-0566
Wabash County Unemployment Office119 W 12th StreetMt. Carmel, IL 62863618-262-4151
Unemployment Office – Mt. Carroll 301 N. MainMt. Carroll, IL 61053815-244-2522
Brown County Workforce Office206 S. West Cross St.Mt. Sterling, IL 62353217-285-2216
Unemployment Office — Washington County101 E. St. Louis St.Nashville, IL 62263618-327-4191
Career Link- McLean County705 E. Lincoln Street Suite 110Normal, IL 61761309-807-1386
Cook County American Job Center7222 W Cermak Rd Suite 301North Riverside, IL 60546708-222-3100
Illinois Valley Community College Career Services815 N. Orlando Smith Ave.Oglesby, IL 61348815-224-0370
Unemployment Office – Olney305 North West Street Room 208AOlney, IL 62450618-392-7777
Illinois workNet Center – Ford County258 W. State St.Paxton, IL 60957217-579-1010
Career Link – Tazewell County2956 Court StreetPekin, IL 61554309-347-8492
Career Link – Peoria County406 Elm StreetPO Box 5021Peoria, IL 61605309-321-0260
Unemployment Office – Menard County117 North 7thMenard County Housing AuthorityPetersburg, IL 62675217-558-4268
Illinois workNet Center – Menard County117 N. 7th StreetPetersburg, IL 62675217-558-4268
Pike County Workforce Center120 S. Madison StreetPittsfield, IL 62363217-285-2216
Livingston Workforce Services211 E Madison Street Suite 3Pontiac, IL 61764309-268-8280
Unemployment Office – Princeton225 E. Backbone Rd.PO Box 597Princeton, IL 61356815-872-0255
Quincy Workforce Service Center107 N. 3rdQuincy, IL 62301309-671-3157
Illinois WorkNet Center – Robinson102 W. Main St.Suite 283, P.O. Box  838Robinson, IL 62454618-544-3858
American Job Center500 42nd StreetRock Island, IL 61201-2155309-788-7587
The Workforce Connection – Rockford303 N. Main St.Rockford, IL 61101815-547-9616
Schuyler County Workforce Office233 N. Congress StreetRushville, IL 62681217-322-6916
The Job Center – Shelbyville515 North CedarShelbyville, IL 62565217-774-5550
Safer Foundation (South Holland)249 W. 162nd StreetSouth Holland, IL 60473708-596-0037
Illinois workNet Center – Springfield1300 South Ninth StreetSpringfield, IL 62703217-524-5996
NCI Works One Stop Center – Sterling2323 E. LincolnwaySterling, IL 61350815-433-4550
Illinois workNet Center – Christian County800 Spresser StreetSouth Building Room 1109Taylorville, IL 62568217-558-4283
Pulaski County Satellite8364 Shawnee College RoadShawnee Community CollegeUllin, IL 62992618-634-3293
Illinois WorkNet Center – Vandalia517 West GallatinVandalia, IL 62471618-283-2780
Illinois Worknet – Monroe County100 South Main Street Room 19Waterloo, IL 62298618-939-3332
Illinois workNet Center – Iroquois County1001 East Grant StreetWatseka, IL 60970815-432-5246
Job Center of Lake County – Waukegan1 North Genesee, 1st FloorWaukegan, IL 60085847-377-3450
Illinois workNet – Wood River101 East Edwardsville RoadWood River, IL 62095618-296-4301
McHenry County Workforce Center500 Russel CourtWoodstock, IL 60098815-338-7100
Career Link – Stark County106 E. Williams StreetWyoming, IL 61491309-606-9060
Illinois WorkNet Center – Kendall811 West John StreetYorkville, IL 60560630-553-8303