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Pritzker will file emergency rules to provide benefits to people unemployed due to COVID-19

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* The governor has been talking about this for a couple days or so, and now here’s the press release…

Today, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced they are taking additional steps to support workers and families impacted by COVID-19. The administration will file emergency rules this week to clarify that individuals unemployed due to COVID-19 can generally qualify for unemployment benefits to the full extent permitted by federal law.

“The state of Illinois faces unique challenges as we work to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19,” said Gov. Pritzker. “To protect people across the state, it’s imperative that all workers stay home if they’re feeling sick or have come in contact with someone who has COVID-19. In order to overcome the unique challenges we’re facing, we’ve had to come up with innovative solutions and hope the federal government will support this endeavor as we continue to grapple with this public health crisis.”

If an individual is off work through no fault of their own, they can seek unemployment insurance benefits from IDES. The emergency rules, once filed, will provide assistance to individuals who may be restricted in the type of work they can perform due to COVID-19. The administration is also asking Congress to waive interest on any federal loans that Illinois and other state Unemployment Trust Fund accounts might require due to added strain from the outbreak, as well as maintaining the full federal unemployment tax credit for employers in states that may require those loans.

These measures accompany those Governor Pritzker has already taken to help ensure the health and safety of communities across the state, including the declaration of a state of emergency earlier this week that will release State Disaster Relief Fund assistance and ongoing requests for additional COVID-19 testing kits from the federal government.

Discuss.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 4:23 pm

Comments

  1. So, this is what leadership looks like.

    Good move.

    Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 4:26 pm

  2. If you become sick through work or are asked to self-quarantine due to a workplace exposure, are you eligible for worker’s compensation?

    Comment by Charlie Brown Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 4:27 pm

  3. The Fund should be more than able to support this.

    Comment by Bertrum Cates Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 4:28 pm

  4. Something needed to be done. If they think this will fly with federal regulations then by all means.

    I wonder what this will do to employers’ experience rates if their employees avail themselves of this.

    Comment by yeah Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 4:31 pm

  5. Good

    Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 4:49 pm

  6. And Illinois rainy day fund is smaller then my checking account. Good Grief

    Comment by Sue Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 5:06 pm

  7. That’s the type of out of touch billionaire that should be leading.

    Comment by DTAG Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 6:12 pm

  8. So are you criticizing this action Sue? Because if you are … Good Grief

    Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 6:28 pm

  9. No Demoralized not criticizing at all just lamenting how I’ll prepared the State is due to fiscal mismanagement going back 40 years

    Comment by Sue Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 7:10 pm

  10. @Demoralized - Sue’s not a fan of “feel good” social programs. That’s just the way she rolls.

    Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Mar 11, 20 @ 7:23 pm

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