Rep. Dan Ugaste | Facebook
Rep. Dan Ugaste | Facebook
The state unemployment offices have been in chaos for a year now, with Illinoisans waiting weeks or even months to get a response back regarding their unemployment benefits, support that was critically needed during the pandemic.
Many lawmakers say it's time the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) gets back to in-person work and address its ridiculously high backlog.
"Recently we have made significant strides in reopening our state," said state Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) at a May 20 press conference. "Progress has been made, we've inched forward at some times and gone quicker at other times, but we're definitely making progress."
Progress everywhere, it seems, except in the workforce, Ugaste said.
"A huge part of the recovery is going to be the economy," the representative stated, "and that requires our businesses to be able to reopen."
An economic reopening is contingent on the workforce returning, however, and Ugaste said that Illinois' working population needs to feel safe and supported enough to return.
"In order to do so, I believe we need to drastically change the way we are handling unemployment benefits," the representative continued.
Ugaste called on the state to insist that those receiving unemployment are again held accountable for actively looking for work as businesses reopen.
The Geneva Republican also suggested that a sunset be put into place on the pandemic unemployment assistance program and federal COVID relief dollars be used to boost childcare assistance so parents can work.
"This is about supporting those that need help with the benefits they need while not forgetting about the importance of keeping our businesses for our local economy and state economy," Ugaste said.
State Rep. Tom Weber (R-Antioch) also called out IDES earlier this month and demanded action from Pritzker, as did state Rep. Tom Bennett (R-Lake Villa), who questioned why the unemployment offices remain closed as the number of new COVID cases are declining and economic progress has apparently stagnated.
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