While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.

  1. What Is Unemployment Insurance?
  2. What Are Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
  3. How to Qualify for Unemployment Benefits
  4. When to Apply for Unemployment
  5. How to Apply for Illinois Unemployment Insurance
  6. How Unemployment Insurance Benefit Amounts Are Calculated
  7. I Just Applied for Unemployment Insurance. Now What?
  8. What Happens After You Are Approved for Unemployment Benefits?
  9. How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
  10. Need More Help?
  11. 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:

  1. Gather documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application. 

Learn what documents and information you need here.

  1. 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.

  1. 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 $484 for individuals, $577 for individuals with a spouse, and $699 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?

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

  1. 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.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s customer service line is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM CST, except for state holidays. You can learn more about observed holidays in Illinois here.

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 or download our free guide here.

  1. Contact the Illinois Department of Employment Security
  2. Unemployment Offices in Illinois
  3. Need More Help?
  4. 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.

The Department of Employment Security phone line is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM CST, except for state holidays. See Illinois observed holidays here.

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.

LocationAddressHours
Arlington Heights723 W Algonquin Rd
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Belleville4519 W Main
Belleville, IL 62223
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Burbank5608 W 75th Pl
Burbank, IL 60459
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Carlinville116 Plum Street
Carlinville, IL 62626
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Carmi Job Center1700 College Avenue
Carmi, IL 62821
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Champaign1307 N Mattis Ave
Champaign, IL 61821
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago - Daley College7500 South Pulaski
Bldg 100
Chicago, IL 60652
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago - Lawrence2444 W. Lawrence
Chicago, IL 60625
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago - Mid South4314 S. Cottage Grove Avenue
Chicago, IL 60653
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago - Pilsen1700 W 18th St
Chicago, IL 60608
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago - Woodlawn1515 E 71st St
Chicago, IL 60619
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chicago Heights202 S. Halsted St.
ATOC Building, Suite 148
Chicago Heights, IL 60411
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Danville407 N Franklin
Danville, IL 61832
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Decatur757 W Pershing Rd
Decatur IL, 62525
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Effingham2311 Hoffman Dr
Effingham, IL 62401
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Harvey16845 S Halsted St
Harvey, IL 60426
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Joliet250 N Chicago
Joliet, IL 60432
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kankakee450 N. Kinzie Avenue
Bradley, IL 60915
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lisle2525 Cabot Drive
Lisle, IL 60532
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
MarionIllinois Star Center
3000 W Deyoung
Ste 800B
Marion, IL 62959
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Maywood1701 S 1st Ave, Ste 10
Maywood, IL 60153
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mt Vernon333 Potomac Blvd
Suite E
Mount Vernon, IL 62864
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Normal (Employment Services Only)705 E. Lincoln
Suite 110
Normal, IL 61761
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
North Aurora2 Smoke Tree Plaza
North Aurora, IL 60542
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ottawa1550 First Ave
South Towne Mall
Ottawa, IL 61350
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Peoria406 Elm St
Peoria, IL 61605
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Quincy107 N Third
Quincy, IL 62301
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rock Island500 42nd Street
Suite 1
Rock Island, IL 61201
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Rockford303 North Main
Rockford, IL 61101
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Springfield1300 S 9th St
PO Box 19509
Springfield, IL 62703
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sterling2323 E Lincolnway
Sterling, IL 61081
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WaukeganOne North Genesee Street
Waukegan, IL 60085
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wood River101 E. Edwardsville Rd.
Wood River, IL 62095
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Woodstock500 Russell Ct
Woodstock, IL 60098
8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

IDES offices and their phone lines are closed to the public due to COVID-19. Until offices are reopened, you can call the state Customer Service Center at (800) 244-5631.

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.
  • The Appeal Hearing 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 or download our free guide here.

  1. How to Apply for IllinoisUnemployment Insurance
  2. How to Check Your Application Status
  3. The Unemployment Benefits Waiting Week
  4. How to Appeal an Unemployment Insurance Denial
  5. Need More Help?
  6. 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:

  1. Gather documentation related to your previous employment and information you will need for the application. 

Learn what documents and information you need here.

  1. 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.

  1. Submit the Unemployment application, which is also known as filing an initial claim. 

How to Check Your Application Status

If you have already applied for Unemployment Insurance online, you can check the status of your application by logging into your account through the Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) claimant portal here.

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.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s customer service line is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM CST, except for state holidays. See Illinois’ list of observed holidays here.

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 or download our free guide here.