IDES Offices Closed May 27 to Observe Memorial Day

CHICAGO – Offices of the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) will close on Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day. All services will be available on the website. Claimants scheduled to certify for benefits should do so. Regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. will resume Tuesday, May 28.

Although IDES offices will close, services will be available on-line at www.ides.illinois.gov. Individuals will be able to file for first-time unemployment benefits, certify for benefits which is necessary to receive payment, and switch that method of payment to direct deposit. Because May 27 is a federal banking holiday, the availability of some benefit payments might be delayed. The IDES does not determine federal banking holidays.

IDES customers also can use the website to manage their benefit payments. For benefit payments, the Department encourages direct deposit. Direct deposit is a simple, smart and secure way to receive benefits. A debit card also is available. There are no fees associated with a debit card at point-of-service counters that accept MasterCard, such as grocery stores, drug stores and convenience stores. Cash is available after qualifying purchases. Fees likely will be assessed with out-of-network ATM machines.

Illinois businesses are hiring and looking for workers on Illinoisjoblink.com. The state’s hiring board features more than 100,000 help-wanted ads. Job seekers can build multiple resumes to emphasize different skills and experiences. Business owners can use keyword matching technology to search resumes and find the best candidate. Illinoisjoblink.com is free for workers and employers. It compares favorably to private efforts that cost hundreds of dollars. No-cost HR recruitment services are available at the website and at (877) 342-7533.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security is the state’s employment agency. It links job seekers with employers and administers unemployment insurance, re-employment services and labor market information. In doing so, it assists families during difficult times, helps businesses prosper, and advocates for taxpayers by fighting waste, fraud and abuse. IDES does so through its offices and workNet Center partners.