Illinois Unemployment Insurance

Illinois Unemployment Insurance (UI) is a state-operated insurance program designed to partially replace lost wages when you are out of work through no fault of your own.

Each state sets its own guidelines for eligibility for UI benefits, but you usually qualify if you:

1. have lost a job through no fault of your own;
2. are unemployed or partially unemployed for reasons permissible under federal law;
3. are “able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work;” and
4. have earned at least a certain amount of money during a “base period” prior to becoming unemployed. In most states, this is usually the first 4 out of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.

If you meet the eligibility requirements of the law, you’re entitled to UI benefits while you are looking for a new job, up to a maximum of 26 weeks

According to the Illinois Department of Employment Security, in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits in Illinois, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ and must have:

1. earned at least $1,600 in a recent 12-month ‘base period’ before filing a claim, and
2. at least $440 of those wages must come from a quarter outside your highest-paid quarter.¹

For example, if you earned $1,600 total but all of it was in a single quarter, you would not qualify since at least $440 must come from another quarter.

How much do I get for unemployment in Illinois?

In Illinois, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit amount is $628 with no dependents, $748 with a dependent spouse, or $859 with one or more dependent children. ¹

The exact amount depends on your past earnings and the date your claim is filed, as benefit calculations are based on your recent wage history.

For how many weeks is unemployment paid in Illinois?

Unemployment insurance in Illinois is paid for as many as 26 weeks in a benefit year. You must continue to meet the eligibility requirements and request payment for each week you claim.

How do I file for unemployment in Illinois?

Claims for UI benefits can be filed online  through Illinois Benefits Information System (IBIS) system or if you wish to file in person, find an IDES office nearest you.

As a condition of eligibility, you are required to register with IllinoisJobLink.com  (IJL) to be eligible for unemployment benefits.

Illinois Department of Employment Security
Claimant Services Center
(800) 244-5631