How to File for Unemployment in Illinois

Do you need information on how to apply for unemployment in Illinois? If you've been laid off, you should file for Illinois unemployment as soon as possible, so that you can receive any benefits that you are entitled to. Read on to learn how to file for unemployment in Illinois.

Tips For Those Who Are About to be Terminated or Have Just Been Terminated

This video by an Illinois Employment law attorney includes some advice that is relevant to preserving eligibility for unemployment benefits. Be caref ... read more

This video by an Illinois Employment law attorney includes some advice that is relevant to preserving eligibility for unemployment benefits. Be careful about what you say or do after being terminated, as you don't want the employer to be able to claim that they terminated you for cause, as that will impact your ability to collect unemployment insurance benefits.

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Introduction

Illinois unemployment is a joint federal-state program. Unemployment insurance in Illinois is administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Step 1: Do You Qualify for Illinois Unemployment?
(Creative Commons photo by Speaker Pelosi)
- In order to be eligible to collect unemployment in the state of Illinois, you must:
1. Have worked as an employee in Illinois for a covered company in the first four of the last five calendar quarters
2. Not have been fired for cause
3. Be able to work and be actively seeking employment
Step 2: What You Need to File for Illinois Unemployment
1. Social Security Number and your name exactly as it appears on your Social Security card
2. Social Security Number, date of birth and name of any dependents
3. Names, mailing addresses, employment dates, and separation reason for all employers worked for during the past 18 months
4. If you are not a United States citizen, your Alien Registration Number
5. If you worked since Sunday of the week your are filing, the amount of gross wages earned this week
Step 3: How to File for Illinois Unemployment
- You can file for Illinois unemployment online, providing you have the following software installed and operational on your computer:
1. Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher, with cookies enabled. IE is the only browser supported by the Illinois unemployment system.
2. Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows Millennium Edition
3. Adobe Reader version 4.0 or later.
- You can also file a claim in person at your local Illinois Department of Employment Security office, from 8:30-5pm, Monday through Friday
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