- What Is Unemployment Insurance?
- What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
- How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
- When to Apply for Unemployment
- How to Apply for Illinois Unemployment Insurance
- How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
- I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?
- What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?
- How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
- Need More Help?
- View or Download Our Free Guide
What Is Unemployment Insurance?
Unemployment Insurance is a benefit program designed to replace part of the income of recently unemployed or underemployed workers. Unemployment Insurance is available to workers who are out of work through no fault of their own.
Learn more about Unemployment on the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) Program Overview page here.
What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
Unemployment Insurance benefits are weekly payments that are given to eligible workers who apply to and are accepted into the program. These payments can be provided via a direct deposit to their bank account.
You can learn more about how Unemployment Insurance payments work here.
How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
To qualify for Unemployment Insurance in Illinois, you must:
- Have lost your job due to no fault of your own.
- Be able to work.
- Be actively seeking work.
- Meet Illinois’ monetary and personal eligibility requirements
You can learn more about Illinois’ requirements to qualify for Unemployment Insurance here.
When to Apply for Unemployment
Apply for benefits online here during the week you are seeking payment, when your hours have been reduced or when you are no longer employed. If possible, do NOT wait until the week is over.
Learn more information on when to apply for Unemployment Insurance here.
How to Apply for Unemployment in Illinois
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Illinois, complete the following three steps:
- Gather documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
- Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, over the phone, or in person.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Illinois’ Unemployment claimant portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance over the phone, call (800) 244-5631 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, CST.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in person, click here to find your nearest Illinois Unemployment Office location.
- Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing an initial claim.
How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
The amount of Unemployment Benefits you receive is based on your past reported earnings from employers that you worked for in Illinois during your base period. Your base period is the first four quarters of the last five completed calendar quarters prior to your initial claim.
The maximum weekly benefit amount is $593 for individuals, $707 for individuals with a spouse, and $809 for individuals with dependent children.
To find out more about the base period and how benefits are calculated, click here.
I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?
- Report Your Waiting Week
The week after you file your unemployment claim is called the Waiting Week. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal here and the Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.
Learn more about the Waiting Week here. Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
- Start Looking for Work
Keep track of your work-search contacts. You are required to make at least two contacts per week to receive payments and waiting week credit.
- Discuss Possible Issues
If you were discharged or quit your last job, expect a call (or email if that is your preferred contact method) to determine if you are eligible for unemployment insurance.
You can learn more about what to expect after applying here.
What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?
You must file a Weekly Certification Application every week you are receiving Unemployment Benefits until you are employed again. This weekly claim is like a follow-up application that certifies your continued eligibility for the program, and proves you are actively applying for new jobs.
Learn more about the Waiting Week here. Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
It’s important to remember that failure to certify could cause a delay in the processing of your benefits or a denial of benefits.
How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can obtain an appeal request form here, which you can submit by fax, by mail or in person to your local office when open. You can find a list of Illinois Unemployment Offices here.
You can also mail your completed form to the Chicago or Springfield Appeals Division offices at:
**Chicago Office:
**IDES Appeals Division
33 S State St, 8th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-2802
**Springfield Office:
**IDES Appeals Division
607 East Adams, 8th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
Need More Help?
If you need help with an application or have any further questions about your claim, you can call the Illinois Department of Employment Security at (800) 244-5631.
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
View or Download Our Free Guide
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
- Contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security
- Unemployment Offices in Illinois
- Need More Help?
- View or Download Our Free Guide
Contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security
If you have general questions about the Unemployment Benefits provided in Illinois, call the Department of Employment Security (IDES) at (800) 244-5631. This line can assist with frequently asked questions regarding unemployment claims and appeals.
You may also use the online contact chat bot for assistance, found here.
Unemployment Offices in Illinois
Illinois has 34 Unemployment Offices. Find your nearest local Unemployment Office’s location, hours of operation, and phone number below. Or, go to the Illinois IDES Contact Us page here.
| Location | Address |
|---|---|
| Arlington Heights | 723 W Algonquin Rd Arlington Heights, IL 60005 |
| Belleville | 4519 W Main Belleville, IL 62223 |
| Burbank | 5608 W 75th Pl Burbank, IL 60459 |
| Carlinville | 116 Plum Street Carlinville, IL 62626 |
| Carmi Job Center | 1700 College Avenue Carmi, IL 62821 |
| Champaign | 1307 N Mattis Ave Champaign, IL 61821 |
| Chicago - Daley College | 7500 South Pulaski Bldg 100 Chicago, IL 60652 |
| Chicago - Lawrence | 2444 W. Lawrence Chicago, IL 60625 |
| Chicago - Mid South | 4314 S. Cottage Grove Avenue Chicago, IL 60653 |
| Chicago - Pilsen | 1700 W 18th St Chicago, IL 60608 |
| Chicago - Woodlawn | 1515 E 71st St Chicago, IL 60619 |
| Chicago Heights | 202 S. Halsted St. ATOC Building, Suite 148 Chicago Heights, IL 60411 |
| Danville | 407 N Franklin Danville, IL 61832 |
| Decatur | 757 W Pershing Rd Decatur IL, 62525 |
| Effingham | 2311 Hoffman Dr Effingham, IL 62401 |
| Harvey | 16845 S Halsted St Harvey, IL 60426 |
| Joliet | 250 N Chicago Joliet, IL 60432 |
| Kankakee | 450 N. Kinzie Avenue Bradley, IL 60915 |
| Lisle | 2525 Cabot Drive Lisle, IL 60532 |
| Marion | Illinois Star Center 3000 W Deyoung Ste 800B Marion, IL 62959 |
| Maywood | 1701 S 1st Ave, Ste 10 Maywood, IL 60153 |
| Mt Vernon | 333 Potomac Blvd Suite E Mount Vernon, IL 62864 |
| Normal (Employment Services Only) | 705 E. Lincoln Suite 110 Normal, IL 61761 |
| North Aurora | 2 Smoke Tree Plaza North Aurora, IL 60542 |
| Ottawa | 1550 First Ave South Towne Mall Ottawa, IL 61350 |
| Peoria | 406 Elm St Peoria, IL 61605 |
| Quincy | 107 N Third Quincy, IL 62301 |
| Rock Island | 500 42nd Street Suite 1 Rock Island, IL 61201 |
| Rockford | 303 North Main Rockford, IL 61101 |
| Springfield | 1300 S 9th St PO Box 19509 Springfield, IL 62703 |
| Sterling | 2323 E Lincolnway Sterling, IL 61081 |
| Waukegan | One North Genesee Street Waukegan, IL 60085 |
| Wood River | 101 E. Edwardsville Rd. Wood River, IL 62095 |
| Woodstock | 500 Russell Ct Woodstock, IL 60098 |
Need More Help?
To find more information on Illinois Unemployment Benefits and Services, visit:
- The Illinois Department of Employment Security website here.
- The IDES Unemployment Frequently Asked Questions page here.
To file an Unemployment Insurance claim:
- Visit the Illinois Unemployment Insurance claimant portal here.
- Call (800) 244-5631.
Find further contact information by visiting the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s contact information page here.
View or Download Our Free Guide
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
- How to Apply for Illinois Unemployment Insurance
- How to Check Your Application Status
- The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week
- How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
- Need More Help?
- View or Download Our Free Guide
How to Apply for Illinois Unemployment Insurance
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in Illinois, complete the following three steps:
- Gather documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
- Choose how you are going to apply, whether online, over the phone, or in person.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance online, click here to access Illinois’ Unemployment claimant portal.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance over the phone, call (800) 244-5631 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, CST.
To apply for Unemployment Insurance in person, click here to find your nearest Illinois Unemployment Office location.
- Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing an initial claim.
How to Check Your Application Status
You can also check the status of your application by calling the IDES customer service line at (800) 244-5631 or by contacting your local office. You can find a list of local offices here.
The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week
You will not receive Unemployment Benefits immediately after submitting the application. By law, you must wait one week before finding out whether you will begin receiving benefits. This is called the Waiting Week.
The Waiting Week is the week after you file your unemployment claim. During the Waiting Week, you must file a Weekly Certification Application through the claimant portal and the Unemployment Office will make sure you are still unemployed or underemployed, and meet all other eligibility requirements. You can find the Illinois claimant portal here.
If approved, you will begin receiving your weekly benefits the following week. You are not paid for the Waiting Week, but you do receive a Waiting Week credit.
Learn more about the Waiting Week here.
Learn more about the Weekly Certification Application here.
How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
If your Unemployment Insurance application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can obtain an appeal request form here, which you can submit by fax, by mail or in person at your local office. Find your nearest local Illinois Unemployment Office here.
You can also mail your completed form to the Chicago or Springfield Appeals Division offices at:
**Chicago Office:
**IDES Appeals Division
33 S State St, 8th Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-2802
**Springfield Office:
**IDES Appeals Division
607 East Adams, 8th Floor
Springfield, IL 62701
Need More Help?
If you need help with an application or have any further questions about your claim, you can call the Illinois Department of Employment Security at (800) 244-5631.
You can also visit or call a local Unemployment Office for further assistance. Find your nearest Unemployment Office location and contact information here.
View or Download Our Free Guide
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Unemployment Insurance program and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free Unemployment Insurance Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility requirements and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
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