State Rep. Jeff Keicher is among Illinois lawmakers pushing for the Illinois Department of Employment Security to ensure better service to beneficiaries. | File Photo
State Rep. Jeff Keicher is among Illinois lawmakers pushing for the Illinois Department of Employment Security to ensure better service to beneficiaries. | File Photo
Even as the economy recovers, many Illinois residents who have filed for unemployment benefits have expressed frustration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), and lawmakers are still seeking a virtual appointment solution.
State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) recently took to social media to address the reports of troubles within the system and call out.
“Illinoisans are still facing unacceptable wait times with IDES and are now being hung up on by the very people who are supposed to help them through the unemployment process,” Keicher said in a post to his official Facebook page. “The administration has to be held accountable for these ongoing failures and provide real solutions for the people of Illinois.”
In an article Keicher linked to, ABC 7 reported that lawmakers have been pushing for virtual appointments since March. Yet, even with a letter sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, no progress has been made since then.
ABC 7 also reported that their I-Team had received reports from people using the system that they have even been hung up on by IDES call-takers, even after waiting weeks to be called back in the first place.
Acting IDES Director Kristin Richards told lawmakers that her office had budgeted funds for technology to accommodate virtual appointments during a March hearing. However, the budget year for those funds begins in July, according to ABC 7.
At the same hearing, state Rep. Sue Scherer (D-Decatur) told Richards that her constituents have reported being mocked, laughed at or hung up on when calling IDES seeking assistance, ABC 7 reported.
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