Remaining Illinois unemployment offices reopening for in-person appointments
Five Chicago-area unemployment offices will reopen for in-person appointments Monday after being closed to the public for more than 18 months because of the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns.
The offices in Chicago’s Lincoln Square and Grand Crossing neighborhoods, along with those in Burbank, Joliet and North Aurora, join the 13 others statewide that have reopened since late last month.
Appointments must be scheduled 24 hours in advance by calling 217-558-0401 and requesting a return call. In-person visits can be made for the following reasons: identity verification for an unemployment insurance claim; assistance registering with IllinoisJobLink.com; assistance documenting work search activities, accessing employment services, including resume and job search guidance; or for the use of computers with internet and other resources.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker closed Illinois Department of Employment Security offices statewide in March 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic was first surging in Illinois. But as he also shut down large swaths of the economy to slow the spread of the virus, the unemployment system became overwhelmed with a deluge of new claims for jobless benefits.
Pritzker has faced harsh criticism, particularly from Republican state lawmakers but also from some Democrats, for the problems at the unemployment agency, but he and other officials have pointed to similar problems nationwide.
Unemployment offices remained closed even as other state offices reopened to the public, in part over concerns about the safety of staff at the offices.
The agency is encouraging residents to apply for benefits and conduct other business online whenever possible or to call 800-244-5631 to request a return call from a staff member who can provide assistance.
