COVID-19 Update: Illinois Department of Employment Security & Workers Compensation
In today's daily briefing Governor Pritzker provided an update on the continued issues with unemployment filings and went into detail on what his administration has done to solve for the overwhelming number of individuals applying for benefits. Between March 1 - April 4 the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) received 513,000 claims which is the largest surge of claims over any five week period experienced in our States history and represents more claims than the total number of filed claims in 2019.
The Governor shared that the computer system was built in 2010 in the wake of the great recession and with the thought that we would never see more filing than during that period. Given today's circumstances in the midst of this pandemic we know that is not the case. Since May 1, IDES has fielded 6.5 million online sessions and the call center continues to process thousands of calls every day with with 173 call representatives . States continue to struggle across the country with unemployment issues as we have seen in New York , California , New Jersey and others just to name a few.

To address the number of claims and calls IDES has done the following:

  • IDES has brought back retired staff members who are already trained according to federal requirements and familiar with the system to assist in process claims.
  • Daily call center hours have increased
  • IDES is establishing an outside call center based in Illinois that can assist with fielding more calls and process claims
  • The online system has been overhauled and application methods have been moved to an alphabetized process method to reduce wait times
  • In partnership with Google AI, Quantiphi, and Carasoft, the state will launch a 24/7 web bot on the IDES website to immediately provide answers to frequently asked questions to those who choose to use the feature. This program will be rolling out this week.
  • IDES has eased eligibility requirements so that individuals no longer have to register with Jobs Links website in order to receive their benefits.
  • Governor Pritzker has signed an executive order to waive unemployment holding period of one week so that individuals can begin receiving full benefits more quickly.

Federal CARES Act also included an additional $600 in weekly benefits for those that qualify for unemployment. Those funds have begun to be distributed to qualifying individuals in conjunction with their unemployment benefits. The CARES act also provided for a 13 week extension for people who have exhausted their unemployment benefits. The implementation of this benefit is set to take effect April 20. There were also provisions included to open up unemployment benefits to individuals who would otherwise not qualify such as sole proprietors, self employed individuals and gig workers. Unfortunately, the US Department of Labor has released guidance trying to limit implementation and narrow the qualifications. IDES is continuing to work through these guidelines and is working as quickly as possible to create a new site from the ground up to open these applications by May 11. Individuals will be receiving back dated unemployment benefits from the date of lost employment. Read the Governor's full address on unemployment here .

Our office continues to field multiple calls and emails daily on this issue and escalate them to the administration. If you need assistance, please email us at repcassidy@gmail.com with as much detail as you can on the nature of your issue along with any identifying case information and we will do our best to help.
The Governor also announced the passage of emergency rules by the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission to expand workers compensation coverage for essential workers who are diagnosed with COVID-19. This emergency rule will provide a rebuttable presumption that essential workers who are infected, were infected at the workplace and eligible for workers compensation. To learn more visit their website here .
COVID-19 Count as of today :

1,773 new cases, 74 deaths today

87 out of 102 counties in Illinois have cases

If you have questions related to COVID-19 you can contact the Illinois Department of Public Health :
Hotline : 800-889-3931
Email : dph.sick@illinois.gov

City of Chicago's Department of Public Health :
Hotline : 312-746-4835
Email : coronavirus@chicago.gov

You can sign up to get updates from the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health here .
Facebook Live Town hall : Alderman Osterman, U.S. Congresswoman Schakowsky, Senator Steans and Representative Cassidy
This week please tune in on Facebook as I join local elected officials in the 48th Ward Virtual Town Hall Meeting taking place Thursday, April 16, 7pm. During the meeting, viewers can submit questions in the comments of the video and they will be collected by staff moderating the Q&A session at the end of the agenda. Questions can also be submitted in advance by emailing ally@48thward.org
Volunteer Opportunities: medical, non contact and in person options
Illinois and its community partners are working together to protect the health and well-being of our citizens. To do that, we need your help during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The spirit of volunteerism and community service are alive and well during COVID-19. For more information click Serve Illinois . To find a volunteer location click Serve Illinois Portal .

Illinois Helps, an Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP) is seeking volunteers too in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Illinois Helps is an active alert system that can be activated to request medical volunteers during a significant disaster or public health emergency, with cases continuing to rise the request for volunteers is also on the rise. Please click here for more information.

Medical Volunteer Opportunities

Chicago Medical Reserve Corps (MRC)  is a network of both medical and non-medical professionals who volunteer their time to assist during public health emergencies such as the current COVID-19 outbreak. Many MRC volunteers are just like you nurses, doctors, pharmacists, therapists, public health professionals, and other community members who believe in keeping Chicago safe. Register at  Illinois Helps .

Non Contact Volunteer

Aging Network: Area Agencies on Aging need assistance in the form of non face-to-face contact with our older adults; including the delivery of meals and telephone reassurance programs. Both programs provide relief and assistance to our older adults who are practicing social distancing, but who are also at risk of being socially isolated. If you'd like to volunteer please email aging.ilsenior@illinois.gov , or calling our Senior HelpLine at 1-800-252-8966

Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI):  Volunteer lawyers are needed to answer civil legal questions from low-income Illinoisans through a secure website. Volunteer lawyers log onto the site at their convenience and answer questions waiting in the queue. It is a virtual walk-in legal clinic. To volunteer,  click here .

In- Person Volunteering

Greater Chicago Food Depository - Chicago: The Greater Chicago Food Depository is in urgent need of volunteers to help pack food to be distributed during the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are taking extra precautions, including increased cleaning and sanitizing of door handles, countertops, volunteer lockers and other surfaces. We are setting up projects to support social distancing and providing all volunteers with gloves. Additionally we are only accepting volunteers aged 18-60 and ask all volunteers to wear a face mask when here. To sign up or for more information click here . 

Top Box Foods Chicago has launched emergency home deliveries of food to people sheltering in place. We are working with the City of Chicago to help fill the gap in access to affordable food for people on SNAP and for families who are suffering financially from this crisis. To volunteer during this time please click here .
Sincerely,

Kelly Cassidy
State Representative, 14th District

Office of State Representative Kelly Cassidy

5533 N Broadway

Chicago IL 60640
773-784-2002(phone)
773-784-2060(fax)