McHenry Times

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-IL) recently condemned the unemployment claim process after Illinois residents complained about being hung up on by IDES representatives and long wait times for a returned call.

"Situations like these are why I joined with State Rep. Joe Sosnowski this week as a cosponsor of HR 226 calling for all local IDES offices across the state to immediately reopen. SOS offices have been open since last year and have served thousands of people safely. Waiting four weeks or more to receive a phone call back from IDES is unacceptable. That is why IDES offices need to make in-person appointments available now," Rep. Martin McLaughlin wrote in a Facebook post on May 7. 

Since March, lawmakers have been pushing for virtual appointments with Illinois Department Of Employment Security (IDES) agents. And two months after sending a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, everyone is still on hold. The callback system was set up by IDES to alleviate agonizing wait times for thousands of people seeking benefits during the pandemic, said ABC7 News. 

State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Alton) said that some unemployed Illinoisans have waited over 13 months and it has become "unacceptable". 

IDES told the I-Team they silently monitor some calls to ensure quality and they acknowledge there is no outlet for claimants to file a complaint about how their call was handled, ABC7 News said.

"I've had zero response to our letter which we sent on March 5 to the governor's office and to Director Richards," Elik said, reported by ABC7 News. "We are waiting on an answer just like our constituents are awaiting answers."

IDES told the I-Team that they are still exploring virtual appointments with no date set yet. And there are no plans to reopen offices for in-person service, due to threats made against the agency and concern over creating a "chaotic environment," ABC7 News reported.