IDES offices closed Monday to observe Memorial Day

Claimants should certify; services available on Internet

[May 26, 2012]  CHICAGO -- The offices of the Illinois Department of Employment Security will be closed on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. All services will be available on the department's 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.

Because May 28 is a federal banking holiday, the availability of some benefit payments might be delayed. The IDES does not determine federal banking holidays.

Although IDES offices will be closed, services will remain available 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 the method of payment to direct deposit.

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, drugstores and convenience stores. Cash is available after qualifying purchases. Fees likely will be assessed with out-of-network ATM machines.

As the economy improves, the IDES encourages businesses and individuals to use Illinois JobLink, also known as IJL. Illinois JobLink, www.illinoisjoblink.com, is an Internet-based system that allows businesses to post job ads at no cost. Employers can create want ads that require specific skills and can search resumes using keywords such as salary, educational attainment and location. Individuals can create multiple resumes using keywords to emphasize skills that target specific jobs in different industries. The cross-matching approach increases success and reduces costs for both parties.

IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development. The department does so through nearly 45 offices across the state, including the Illinois workNet Centers.

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