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* Considering his background, it seems unlikely that Congressman Davis has ever been in the unemployment system, so this IDES reply to Davis is undoubtedly true…
Thank you for bringing this to our attention, @RodneyDavis. As we've seen, this is a nationwide issue with bad actors across the globe using information from the major data breaches of the past to exploit this pandemic. https://t.co/Db44wkEwPe
— Illinois Employment (@IllinoisIDES) December 16, 2020
This is indeed a national problem. Just click here for a sampling of news stories to see for yourself. California is worried that it’s been defrauded out of more than $8 billion.
* But it does seem particularly acute in Illinois as well…
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Central Illinois is working to track business scams and instances of fraud. Jessica Tharp, president, and CEO said they get roughly 15 calls daily regarding unemployment insurance scams throughout the 37 counties the BBB covers.
“Unemployment fraud has really taken a front seat in terms of scams being reported,” Tharp said. “It’s taken a twist where people are receiving benefits for jobs that they still have even or jobs that they don’t have. So, we’re seeing all kinds of things being reported and it comes down to many things, like identity theft.”
In just one day, the Peoria Police Department got 14 reports of identity theft, all involving fraudulent unemployment insurance claims. In almost every case, the victim received a letter, approving them for unemployment insurance benefits, from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The victims reported they had not filed for unemployment insurance.
“People don’t realize their information is compromised,” Tharp said.
* But then IDES poked the bear and Davis got all defensive…
It doesn't take you "having my attention" to know that families I represent are struggling in part because our state's economy lags nationally, @GovPritzker's executive actions shut down small businesses, and IDES has been unable to fully respond to this crisis. https://t.co/RE1c3SjUUw
— US Rep Rodney Davis (@RodneyDavis) December 16, 2020
He could try to help the state’s economy, but has argued instead for austerity. Also, the virus has shut things down, and Davis has not exactly been a leader on that front.
* Meanwhile…
State Rep. Mike Marron’s decision to stand in front of state of Illinois offices to draw attention to the problems caused by the Illinois Department of Employment Security has apparently at least opened the lines of communication.
Marron, R-Fithian, said around noon Tuesday he got a call from IDES Director Kristin Richards to schedule a meeting next week to discuss a problem where self-employed workers, gig workers and independent contractors are being notified by the state that they have gotten too much unemployment aid and would have to repay it.
Marron said he and other Republican legislators had become frustrated by IDES and the governor’s office not responding to calls asking for an explanation. […]
He has been receiving numerous calls from individuals saying they had been notified they have to return money given to them by IDES.
“A hairdresser in Oakwood shouldn’t have to take out a personal loan to pay back the state,” Marron said.
As we’ve discussed before, the state is required by the federal government to collect over-payments. Maybe Rep. Marron should also call Congressman Davis to make sure folks who didn’t commit deliberate fraud are spared this problem.
As I’ve said time and again, the federal government needs to act and IDES needs to get its act together.
The state has accurately said, for instance, that federal regulations forbid it from just hiring people off the street and put them to work answering IDES phones without extensive training and certifictation. Perhaps the state could ask for a federal waiver on some of those training mandates instead of just throwing up its hands. And perhaps Congressman Davis could help make that happen instead of getting all defensive on the Twitter.
*** UPDATE *** The governor was asked about the exchange today…
The congressman has been sniping without helping. The congressman goes to Washington DC and says to everybody that he’s helping, then goes and votes against the things that would be of assistance to us.
Remember that the federal government set up the programs. The federal government is responsible for making the changes that are necessary to these programs. And I’ve not heard a peep from him about what he’s going to do to help.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:39 am
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How long is the “extensive training and certification” process? I mean, this has been a problem since March. I sure hope the state did its due diligence and got some new employees trained and certified during the last 9 months.
Comment by Phenomynous Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:51 am
IDES provides no method to simply submit a notice online that a fraud has occurred. I’m still waiting on a call back after 3 weeks. And my friend got a letter that he owes benefits he never received.
The stress from this on individual lives is tremendous
Comment by City Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:51 am
This pandemic has truly demonstrated that the GOP’s priority is politics, and not governing. This is sadly true as an opposition party, here in Illinois, and as the ruling party, nationally. Outrage and pointed fingers is the name of the game in politics going forward.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:52 am
“…work together and get something done…”
Really, you expect them to start that now? It’s so much more fun to rag on each other on twitter.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:52 am
==we need to do more to fix it==
It’s a shame he’s not part of some legislative body that could change the rules and/or allocate resources to address this.
Comment by Jocko Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:55 am
IDES should not be responding with snark to anyone. If they had any part of their act together this isn’t how they would be expressing their concerns to the Illinois congressional delegation. And as Rich rightly says there are policy areas where it would be appropriate to engage. Lobbying for extension of unemployment benefits, as much as I support that, is not the job of the IDES. If they really cared about getting people unemployment benefits they could start by getting their act together. 10 month fiasco.
Comment by midway gardens Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:56 am
It’s like the phonies to getting things done decided “hey, I’ll just grandstand and such and seem engaged, that’ll show ‘em”
Both are quite disappointing to accomplishing things, but boy, you need a phony “angst”…
For Christmas, I’m giving Marron a list of contact numbers, like liaisons and directors, Davis, I’ll send him a mirror, he can practice his expert stylings of pretending to care while saying unhelpful things.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 9:56 am
I got one of these debit cards and notices. But was impressed that my employer got a note from IDES within two days saying a fraudulent claim was filed. My wife got hit about two weeks later.
Comment by Southern Skeptic Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:00 am
What are people supposed to do if someone fraudulently files a claim in their name? This recently happened to an elderly relative of mine who was retired. The claim said it was denied so not sure what if any follow up is needed.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:02 am
Governor Pritzker’s EO to shut down businesses may also be why our positivity rate isn’t 18% like our neighbor, MO.
But hey, Davis, don’t let that stop you from a good rant.
Child.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:02 am
It’s 9:34. Do you know where your congressman is?
Comment by Leigh John-Ella Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:03 am
So if the unexpected notice and a debit card show up at an innocent party’s house how does the scammer get benefits?
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:07 am
so many scammers getting things done and yet many of us try to use systems on line and don’t get things done. puzzling.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:08 am
City - push the Google key to find this IDES website
https://www2.illinois.gov/ides/Pages/UI_Fraud_by_Individuals.aspx
IDES has several pages devoted to reporting fraudulent claims.
I got an email from my HR department in October, asking if I filed for unemployment. By the end of the week, I had reported the fraud to IDES by phone, email, fax, and mail. I filed an identity theft report with my local police and FTC.
Comment by Huh? Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:18 am
I’m still stewing about this.
Rep. Davis wouldn’t bat an eye if IDES lost all of its funding or if the employees were laid off as a cost-cutting measure. Republicans can’t start selectively caring about government services after demonizing them since the 80’s.
Comment by NIU Grad Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:20 am
*opens cap fax and sees the headline of Davis* sigh
Comment by Gohawks123 Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:21 am
Don’t hold your breath waiting for Democrats to work together with Republicans to help the over 11,000 small businesses that have closed in Illinois by relaxing job killing regulations and trial lawyer friendly policies that are crushing their recovery.
Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:23 am
I filed a fraud complaint online 9 weeks ago and still no response from IDES. Complete failure of the administration. And before any questions it, I am equally as mad with the White House and Congress for this situation. The constant partisan snark and attacks are no help to those in need.
Comment by Shane Falco Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:25 am
I too got a notice and a debit card. Filed a report online. No follow up call as promised. My thoughts to IDES…people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Comment by Southsider Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:27 am
Betsy Londrigan submitted an unemployment claim in Rodney’s name last month, but it was denied.
Comment by Put the fun in unfunded Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:28 am
The old Illinois economy is lagging nationally bit. Small businesses are closing all over the country even states that ate open as demand is down. Most sane people are staying out of places.
Comment by Itch Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:30 am
“Davis has not exactly been a leader on that front.” The only thing Davis has been a leader on (to combine a statement of Thaddeus Stevens with a medical term from The West Wing) is his “relapsing remitting lockjaw” when it comes to the federal debt / deficits. When there is a Democratic President, he goes on and on about the matter. When there is a Republican President, the “relapsing remitting lockjaw” flares up and he is unable to speak about the matter. /s (I think ?!?)
Comment by Anyone Remember Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:30 am
Maybe Rodney can send a staffer to go drunkenly harass IDES staff.
Comment by Downstate Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:30 am
I’m shocked, shocked I tell you that scammers would take advantage of the government dropping money from helicopters. There was no possible way to predict this would happen. I can’t wait to see what happens with the next round of unemployment payments in the $900B stimulus bill.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:38 am
Yesterday, after 2 months, I did receive a letter from IDES that my claim was deemed fraudulent. It is nerve racking to be sure.
I have zero faith that any electronic personal data is protected.
Comment by BTO2 Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:38 am
Maybe I missed it, but with such rampant fraud you’d think by now there would be at least one or two arrests. A quick google check turns up no news of any scammer in Illinois getting caught. We just get a lot of there’s-nothing-we-can-do-about-it shrugs from government officials.
Obviously, federal law enforcement is in the best position to do something about this and the have in other states. If I were the Guv, I’d get the state police on this. (Or maybe the AG’s office can do something?) One high profile arrest would be a confidence booster.
Comment by CS Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:39 am
All IDES had to do was verify with my employer I had been fired. They didn’t do that and now someone is receiving fraudulent money in my name. ONE phone call could have prevented this. Inexcusable!!!
Comment by Eloise Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 10:47 am
Maybe IDES isn’t the cause of the problems, but their response (and Pritzker’s) has been lacking. The lack of communication when you can’t get a response from anyone at IDES isn’t a federal issue.
Comment by Chicagonk Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 11:01 am
” How about everybody try to work together and get something done for a change?”
This is Illinois, man
Comment by Streamwood Retiree Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 11:21 am
You can’t get an honest response from IDES by calling, emailing, etc, but, boy, they sure can bring the snark on twitter. Focus on serving the people.
Comment by snakepliskin69 Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 11:34 am
I think a valuable question to ask is… has IDES been trying to get Rodney’s attention? Usually when some starts a sentence with ‘now that I have your attention’, it means the person has been ignoring them.
Comment by thoughts matter Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 12:04 pm
Isn’t RapidRodney about 8 months late whining about IDES? Maybe we misssed a recount and he is really out
Comment by Annoin' Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 12:09 pm
If Congressman Davis helped make something happen instead of complaining on Twitter, it would be a first.
Comment by filmmaker prof Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 1:51 pm
=== Don’t hold your breath waiting for Democrats to work together with Republicans to help the over 11,000 small businesses that have closed in Illinois by relaxing job killing regulations and trial lawyer friendly policies that are crushing their recovery.===
Where’s your 60 and 30
Same songs… sans complaints… that you Bruce?
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 2:18 pm
I went online today to report fraudulent activity and received a preliminary email response within 3 hours. I used the website noted by Huh? (above)
Comment by Retired SURS Emoloyee Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 3:57 pm
The federal stimulus bill contains language allowing these overpayments to be waived. Let’s hope it stays in.
Comment by Advocate Thursday, Dec 17, 20 @ 8:33 pm