Unemployment agency responds to criticism over delays, deficit
Sarah Mansur, Capitol News Illinois
Feb. 12, 2021
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Acting Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards speaks at a virtual hearing of the Illinois Senate Labor Committee to answer questions about the department s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Jerry Nowicki | Capitol News Illinois
Representatives of the Illinois Department of Employment Security testified before the Senate Labor Committee about fraudulent claims, continued delays in responding to unemployment applicants and a multi-billion dollar deficit in the fund that pays out benefits.
Acting Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards and members of the department’s staff fielded questions about the backlog that individuals face when they contact the agency with questions about their claims.
Credit Blueroomstream.com
Representatives of the Illinois Department of Employment Security on Wednesday testified before the Senate Labor Committee about fraudulent claims, continued delays in responding to unemployment applicants and a multibillion dollar deficit in the fund that pays out benefits.
Acting Illinois Department of Employment Security Director Kristin Richards and members of the department’s staff fielded questions about the backlog that individuals face when they contact the agency with questions about their claims.
While the agency has seen fewer traditional unemployment claims, it has continued to see individuals file roughly 700,000 to 800,000 claims per month since August through the pandemic unemployment programs created through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and other federal programs. Those include the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, and the Extended Benefi