What you need to do to file in Illinois

To file for unemployment in Illinois, you go to the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) website or call their claims line. You will need your Social Security number, driver's license or state ID number, and information about your last job — including your employer's name, address, and the dates you worked there. IDES processes claims online, by phone, or by mail, though online is fastest.

The state requires you to file within two weeks of losing your job. If you wait longer, you may lose benefits for the weeks you did not report. Illinois does not have a waiting week, meaning you can receive benefits for the week you file, unlike some other states.

You must be unemployed through no fault of your own — meaning you were laid off, had your hours cut, or were fired for reasons other than misconduct. If you quit, were fired for willful misconduct, or turned down a suitable job offer, you will be denied. Self-employed people and independent contractors do not may have access to under the regular program, though they may be covered under the federal Pandemic Unemployment information program if it is active.

Key Takeaways

  • File online at ides.illinois.gov or by phone at 1-800-244-5631 within two weeks of your job loss to avoid losing benefit weeks.
  • Have your Social Security number, ID number, and your last employer's name, address, and employment dates ready before you start.
  • Illinois has no waiting week, so you can receive benefits for the week you file if you meet all other requirements.
  • You must report any earnings, part-time work, or job search activity each week, or your benefits will be delayed or stopped.
  • Your weekly benefit amount is based on your earnings in the highest-paid quarter of the past year, up to a state maximum that changes yearly.

How to file online or by phone

The fastest way to file is through the IDES website at ides.illinois.gov. Click "File a Claim" and create an account with your email and a password. You will answer questions about why you lost your job, your work history, and whether you are looking for work. The system will ask for your employer's details, so have that information in front of you. Most people finish in 15 to 20 minutes.

If you cannot file online, call the IDES claims line at 1-800-244-5631. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. Have all your information ready before you call, because the phone line moves quickly and you will not be able to pause and look things up. The representative will file your claim over the phone and give you a confirmation number.

You can also file by mail by printing the form from the IDES website and mailing it to the address listed on the form. Mail filing takes longer — usually two to three weeks — so use this method only if you cannot access the internet or phone.

What information to gather before you file

Before you start your claim, collect these documents and details: your Social Security number, your driver's license or Illinois ID number, your last employer's full name and address, the dates you worked there (start and end month and year), your job title, and the reason you left (laid off, hours cut, fired, or quit). If you were fired, write down the reason the employer gave you.

You will also need to list any income you earned in the past week — including part-time work, gig work, or self-employment — and whether you are actively looking for work. IDES defines "actively looking" as contacting employers, explore online, using a job service, or attending job interviews. Sitting at home and hoping is not enough.

If you worked for more than one employer in the past 18 months, have all of their names and addresses ready. IDES will contact them to verify your employment and the reason you left. If your employer disputes your account of why you were fired or quit, IDES will hold a hearing to decide who is telling the truth.

What happens after you file

After you file, IDES sends a notice to your last employer asking them to confirm your employment dates and the reason you left. Your employer has about 10 days to respond. If they say you quit without good reason or were fired for misconduct, IDES will contact you and may schedule a phone hearing.

If there is no dispute, you will receive a information letter in the mail within one to two weeks saying whether you are approved or denied. If you are approved, the letter will tell you your weekly benefit amount and when your first payment will arrive. Payments are made by debit card (the Unemployment Insurance Debit Card) or direct deposit if you set that up.

If you are denied, the letter will explain why and tell you how to file an appeal. You have 30 days from the date on the letter to appeal. If you appeal, you will get a hearing before an administrative law judge who will listen to both you and your employer and make a final decision.

Weekly reporting and what you must do to keep benefits

Once you start receiving benefits, you must file a weekly claim every week to keep getting paid. You do this online at ides.illinois.gov or by phone. The weekly claim takes about five minutes and asks whether you worked that week, how much you earned, and whether you are still looking for work.

You must report all earnings, including part-time work, gig work (like Uber or DoorDash), and any money from self-employment. If you earn more than your weekly benefit amount, your payment for that week will be reduced or stopped. Illinois allows you to earn up to 50 percent of your weekly benefit amount without losing any payment, but anything above that is deducted dollar-for-dollar from your benefit.

You must also be able to work and be actively looking for work. If you turn down a job offer that IDES considers suitable, or if you stop looking for work, your benefits can be stopped. "Suitable" means a job in your field at a wage close to what you earned before, though the definition loosens the longer you are unemployed.

How much you will receive and how long benefits last

Your weekly benefit amount is calculated from your earnings in the highest-paid quarter (three-month period) of the 12 months before you filed. Illinois takes about 1.2 percent of that quarterly total as your weekly payment, up to a state maximum. The maximum amount changes each year; in 2024 it was $661 per week, but you should check the IDES website for the current year's maximum.

You can receive benefits for up to 26 weeks (about six months) in a benefit year. A benefit year runs from the week you file until 52 weeks later. If you exhaust your 26 weeks and are still unemployed, you may be covered by federal extended benefits if the state unemployment rate is high enough, but those are not automatic — you have to file a separate claim.

Your total benefit amount is called your "benefit year maximum." It is the sum of all weekly payments you can receive in that 52-week period. Once you reach that maximum, your regular benefits stop, though you may may have access to for extended benefits if they are available.

Common reasons claims are denied or delayed

The most common reason for denial is that you quit your job or were fired for misconduct. If you quit, IDES will deny you unless you had "good cause" — meaning a serious reason connected to the job, like unsafe working conditions, wage theft, or harassment. straightforward disliking your job or wanting to move is not good cause. If you were fired, IDES will deny you if your employer says it was for willful misconduct — breaking a rule you knew about, being repeatedly late, or theft.

Claims are also delayed when employers do not respond to IDES's verification request on time. If your employer takes more than 10 days to respond, IDES will make a decision based on what you said. If your employer later responds and disputes your account, IDES may reopen your case and hold a hearing.

Another common delay happens when you do not file your weekly claim on time. If you miss a week, you lose the payment for that week and must file a late claim to get back on track. If you miss more than two weeks in a row without contacting IDES, your benefits may be stopped entirely and you will have to reopen your claim.

If your claim is denied or you disagree with a decision

If IDES denies your claim or reduces your benefits, you will receive a information letter explaining the reason. You have 30 days from the date on that letter to file an appeal. You can appeal online at ides.illinois.gov, by mail, or by phone at 1-800-244-5631.

When you appeal, you will be scheduled for a hearing before an administrative law judge. The hearing is usually by phone and takes 15 to 30 minutes. You will have a chance to explain your side of the story, and your employer will have a chance to explain theirs. The judge will ask questions and then issue a written decision, usually within two weeks.

If you disagree with the judge's decision, you can appeal again to the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board. This second appeal is less common and usually happens only if you believe the judge made a legal error, not just if you disagree with the outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I file for unemployment if I was laid off due to lack of work?

Yes. A layoff due to lack of work, reduced hours, or a temporary shutdown is the most straightforward reason to receive benefits. IDES will approve you unless your employer disputes the reason, which is rare in layoff cases. File as soon as your employer tells you that you are laid off.

What if I was fired but I think it was unfair?

Unfair is not the same as misconduct in IDES's eyes. If you were fired for breaking a rule you knew about, being repeatedly late, or poor performance after warnings, IDES will likely deny you. If you were fired for a reason unrelated to your work — like your boss disliking you personally — you may win on appeal. Request a hearing and explain your side.

Do I have to look for work while I am on unemployment?

Yes. You must be actively looking for work and able to work. IDES does not require you to prove your job search every week, but if they audit your claim or if your employer challenges it, you should be able to show that you contacted employers, applied online, or attended interviews. If you are unable to work due to illness or injury, you do not may have access to.

What happens if I find a part-time job while collecting benefits?

Report your earnings on your weekly claim. Illinois allows you to earn up to 50 percent of your weekly benefit amount without losing any payment. If you earn more than that, the amount above 50 percent is subtracted from your weekly benefit. For example, if your weekly benefit is $400 and you earn $250, you lose nothing. If you earn $350, you lose $50 from that week's payment.

Can I collect unemployment if I am self-employed or a gig worker?

Not under the regular Illinois program. Self-employed people and gig workers do not may have access to for standard unemployment. However, if the federal Pandemic Unemployment information program is active, you may be covered. Check the IDES website or call 1-800-244-5631 to see if that program is currently open in Illinois.