Illinois Unemployment Benefits Guide

This guide explains how to apply for unemployment in Illinois. Follow step by step instructions that will help you claim benefits through IL state unemployment office.

First and foremost, apply as soon as you lose the job. State unemployment offices generally take 1-3 weeks to process your application, especially for the initial claim. The compensation will be paid from the week you applied and if you delay, you will lose the benefits prior to the week of filing. You won't be allowed to back-date your claims or claim the benefits for prior weeks.

Illinois Unemployment Compensation Eligibility Requirements

There are some basic rules for eligibility. Even if you meet some of these rules partially, you should still apply for unemployment because state offices make a reasonable attempt to process your claim, as long as you provide a good justification.

1. You must have lost your job through no fault of your own. That means if you have quit job voluntarily you may not qualify for unemployment insurance. However, there are exceptions - such as working in hazardous or inhuman working conditions etc. to this rule.
2. You must be willing and able to work. If you are physically disabled, you do not qualify.
3. You must have worked minimum number of weeks specified by the State. Illinois State minimum weeks of covered employment requirement (employer must have paid unemployment taxes on your behalf): Check State website
4. You must have earned minimum amount of wages specified by State during this period. This amount may change every year. You can get get complete eligibility criteria and the benefits calculator from state website mentioned in the next section. Minimum wages earned during the base period: Check State website

Prepare documents required to apply for unemployment in IL

• Your name, address, social security number and other personal details such as telephone number, email address etc.
• Dependents name, date of birth and their social security number.
• Details of your previous employer. For each employer, you need to provide
  1. Name and address
  2. Telephone number
  3. Start and end dates of employment

• If you had out-of-state employment in the past 18 months, you also need to provide the employment details.
• Reason you lost the job – it has to be involuntary to be eligible to receive benefits.
• Your job skills summary
• If you are not an US citizen, keep your alien registration number and work authorization. However if you are on a work visa such as H1-B, immigration experts do not advise claiming unemployment insurance.

Apply for Benefits or Claim Extension

You can submit your application for unemployment compensation online, off-line (by mail or by visiting local employment office) or through telephone. Online application is the quickest and most efficient option which will also be available 24x7, 7 days a week.

Prepare and submit your application online here

If you choose to file over phone, call the unemployment compensation services toll-free number at (800) 244-5631 or (312) 793-5280; TTY (866) 322-8357. Employer Hotline: (800) 247-4984/1 or (312) 793-4880/1; Employer Problem Resolution: (800) 247-4987 or (312) 793-1900; Media Inquiry - (312) 814-0095

If you are applying for unemployment extension in Illinois, make sure you check the latest rules. Many states are in the process of revising the rules to extend the benefits beyond the initial period. Also, remember that you need to report unemployment benefits as an income when you file taxes with IRS at the end of the year.

All the major cities in Illinois including Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, Naperville, Springfield, Peoria, Elgin, Waukegan, and Cicero. have an unemployment office location to process unemployment claims. You can visit the local office for consultation or to file for unemployment in person

Illinois Unemployment Rate (Trend)

The graph below shows the current and historical unemployment rate in the state

Frequently Asked Questions

If I file an appeal of a decision, do I need an attorney?
The appeals process is administrative in nature and the majority of appeals hearings are held without attorneys. Your employer may be represented by an attorney or a tax consultant, but it is strictly your decision as to whether or not an attorney is needed.
If you do not want to hire a private attorney but feel you need professional advice for handling an appeal, you may qualify for limited free legal services - provided your claim is judged by the legal service provider to be a valid one, i.e. a position that appears to be well-grounded in fact and answers the requirements of the law.

Will the appeal process stop my unemployment benefits?

No. If benefits have been awarded, an appeal does not stop payment of benefits as long as other requirements are met.
However, if benefits are awarded and an appeal changes the decision to a disqualification, then benefits will be stopped. If the decision is reversed at the referee level, you will be required to repay any money you received.

Direct Payment
Illinois Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits are paid through a debit card, unless you elect to receive payment by direct deposit to a checking or savings account.
Before any benefits can be paid on a new claim, you must serve a non-paid "waiting week". Electronic payments made to eligible individuals are generally available within 2-3 business days of certification.

Next steps

After you have submitted your application, you should actively look out for work because the benefits you receive will not be enough to cover your living expenses. The best thing to do is to take a look at your job skills and determine if you want to improve or learn new skills so that you can use this opportunity to revive your career. There are plenty of online opportunities to earn a living while working from home.

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