Department of Employment Security closed Thanksgiving and Friday

Claimants should certify; services available on Internet

Banking holiday might delay payments

[November 19, 2012]  CHICAGO -- Illinois Department of Employment Security service centers will be closed on Thursday and Friday in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, will resume Nov. 26.

Although IDES offices will be closed, services will be available at www.ides.illinois.gov. People still 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 Thursday is a federal banking holiday, the availability of some benefit payments might be delayed. The IDES does not determine federal banking holidays.

The IDES encourages direct deposit. Direct deposit is a simple, smart and secure way to receive benefits. Debit cards also are available. There are no fees associated with a debit card at point-of-service counters that accept MasterCard, such as grocery stores, drugstores and convenience stores. Customers can request cash back after qualifying purchases. Fees likely will be assessed when using out-of-network ATM machines.

The IDES brings together job seekers and employers. In Illinois, there are more than 120,000 help-wanted ads on Illinoisjoblink.com, the department's revamped employment website that links job seekers with employers who are ready to hire. This no-cost, online career resource allows individuals to create multiple resumes that emphasize different talents and allows businesses to search for specific skills. The keyword-matching technology increases the likelihood of a successful new hire. Illinois JobLink emphasizes Illinois jobs, scrapes other commercial job boards and compares favorably with private efforts that cost hundreds of dollars for a single advertisement.

Hiring managers can call 877-342-7533 for direct assistance with Illinoisjoblink.com.

[Text from Illinois Department of Employment Security file received from the Illinois Office of Communication and Information]