File through the Illinois Department of Employment Security website or by phone
Illinois handles unemployment claims through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). You can file online at ides.illinois.gov, by phone at 1-800-244-5631, or in person at a local IDES office. Most people file online because it is faster and you get a confirmation number when ready.
You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your last job — including the employer's name, address, phone number, and the dates you worked there. Have your final paycheck stub if you have one. The whole process takes about 20 to 30 minutes online.
Illinois processes claims within 10 to 14 business days if everything is complete and correct. You will receive a information letter by mail that tells you whether you were found to have a valid claim. If you are found to have a valid claim, you will also receive information about how to file your weekly claim certifications, which you must do every week to receive payments.
Key Takeaways
- File online at ides.illinois.gov, by phone at 1-800-244-5631, or at a local IDES office — online is fastest and gives you a confirmation number right away.
- Have your Social Security number, state ID, and your last employer's name, address, phone number, and your employment dates ready before you start.
- Illinois takes 10 to 14 business days to process your claim and send you a information letter in the mail.
- Once approved, you must file a weekly claim certification every week to receive your payment — missing a week stops your benefits that week.
- If your claim is denied, you have 30 days from the date on the denial letter to request a hearing to appeal the decision.
What disqualifies you from unemployment in Illinois
Illinois will deny your claim if you left your job voluntarily without good cause, were fired for misconduct, or are not able and available to work. "Good cause" means a reason connected to your job — for example, unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or a substantial change in your job duties. Leaving because you were unhappy or wanted a different job does not count as good cause.
If you were fired, IDES will look at whether it was for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule you knew about, or you were so careless that you showed you did not care about your job. A single mistake, even a big one, is usually not misconduct. Being fired for poor performance when you were trying your best is usually not misconduct either.
You are also disqualified if you are not able to work (for example, you are in the hospital) or not available to work (for example, you refuse to work the hours your employer offers). If you are receiving workers' compensation for a work injury, you cannot also receive unemployment for the same period.
How much you will receive and when payments arrive
Illinois calculates your weekly benefit amount based on your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the past 12 months. The maximum weekly benefit is $642 as of 2024, though this amount can change year to year. Your actual amount will be lower unless you earned very high wages. IDES will tell you your weekly amount in the information letter.
You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks in a benefit year, which runs from July 1 to June 30. If you exhaust your 26 weeks and the state unemployment rate is high enough, you may be able to receive extended benefits for up to 13 additional weeks, but this is not automatic — you must meet specific conditions.
Payments are sent by debit card to an account set up by the state's payment processor. You will receive the card in the mail within 7 to 10 days of your claim being approved. Once you have the card, your weekly payment is deposited every week you file your claim certification, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday.
Filing your weekly claim certification
After your claim is approved, you must file a weekly claim certification every week to receive that week's payment. You can do this online at ides.illinois.gov, by phone at 1-800-244-5631, or by mail. Most people file online because it takes about 5 minutes and you get confirmation when ready.
When you file your weekly certification, you will be asked whether you worked that week, whether you earned any money, and whether you refused any job offers. You must answer honestly. If you worked and earned money, your benefit will be reduced by a portion of what you earned — Illinois allows you to earn up to 50% of your weekly benefit amount before your payment is reduced.
You must file your weekly certification by the important date shown on your information letter. If you miss the important date, you will not receive a payment for that week. If you miss more than two weeks in a row without contacting IDES, your claim may be closed and you will have to reopen it.
What to do if your claim is denied
If IDES sends you a denial letter, you have 30 days from the date on the letter to request a hearing. You do this by contacting the Illinois Department of Employment Security and asking for an appeal hearing. You can request the hearing by phone, mail, or online through the IDES website.
At the hearing, you will have a chance to explain your side of what happened. Your former employer will also have a chance to explain their side. A hearing officer will listen to both of you and make a decision. The hearing is usually held by phone, though you can ask for it to be in person.
If you lose the hearing, you can appeal to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Board of Review within 30 days of the hearing decision. This is a more formal process and you may want to talk to a legal aid organization or attorney, though you are not required to have one.
Reporting income and other changes
If you work part-time or do gig work while receiving unemployment, you must report all earnings on your weekly claim certification. Illinois reduces your benefit by a portion of what you earn, but you can still receive some benefits if you earn less than 50% of your weekly benefit amount.
If your address, phone number, or email changes, contact IDES right away. If IDES cannot reach you, your claim may be closed. If you return to full-time work, you must stop filing weekly certifications — continuing to file after you are working full-time is fraud and you will have to repay all the money you received.
If you receive a notice that you owe money back to IDES — either because of an overpayment or because you were found ineligible — you can request a hearing to dispute it. You can also ask IDES about setting up a payment plan if you cannot pay the full amount at once.
Common mistakes that delay or deny claims
The most common mistake is not having your employer's correct information. IDES contacts your employer to verify you worked there and why you left. If the address or phone number is wrong, IDES cannot reach them and your claim gets delayed. Before you file, look up your employer's official business address and phone number — not a store location if you worked for a chain.
Another common mistake is not being truthful about why you left your job. If you say you were laid off but your employer says you quit, IDES will investigate and you will likely be denied. Be specific and honest about what happened. If you left because of a legitimate reason like unsafe conditions or wage theft, explain that clearly.
A third mistake is missing your weekly filing important date. Even if you did not work that week, you still have to file your weekly certification to receive your payment. Set a reminder on your phone for the same day each week so you do not forget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file for unemployment if I was laid off due to lack of work?
Yes. A layoff or reduction in hours due to lack of work is one of the main reasons people are found to have a valid claim in Illinois. You will need to tell IDES the date the layoff happened and whether your employer said it was temporary or permanent. If your employer said it was temporary, IDES may contact them to confirm.
What happens if I find a job while my claim is still open?
You must stop filing weekly certifications once you start working full-time. If you work part-time, you can continue to file and report your earnings — your benefit will be reduced but you may still receive some money. If you continue to file after returning to full-time work, you will be committing fraud and will have to repay everything.
How long does it take to get my first payment?
If your claim is approved, your first payment arrives about 7 to 10 days after you receive your information letter. You will receive a debit card in the mail first, and then your weekly payment is deposited to that card. The entire process from filing to receiving your first payment usually takes 3 to 4 weeks.
Can I file for unemployment if I was fired?
You can file, but you will only be found to have a valid claim if you were not fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you deliberately broke a rule you knew about or were so careless you showed you did not care about your job. If you were fired for poor performance while trying your best, or for a single mistake, you may still be found to have a valid claim.
What if I disagree with the amount of my weekly benefit?
Your weekly benefit is based on your earnings in the highest-earning quarter of the past 12 months. If you think IDES calculated it wrong, you can request a hearing within 30 days of your information letter. Bring your pay stubs or tax return to show your actual earnings. If IDES made a math error, they will correct it and you may receive back pay.