Unemployed Workers Await Quinn's Signature
For months now, we've been urging the General Assembly
to pass legislation that would enable the state to to qualify for seven
additional weeks of unemployment benefits. After all, the extension is
funded entirely by the federal government as part of the stimulus
...
For months now, we've been urging the General Assembly to pass legislation that would enable the state to to qualify for seven additional weeks of unemployment benefits. After all, the extension is funded entirely by the federal government as part of the stimulus package and it is badly needed considering the ongoing rise in unemployment. Last month, Illinois' jobless rate jumped to 10.1 percent, hitting a 25-year high. And just yesterday, the Illinois Department of Employment Services released data showing that the rate in the Chicago metropolitan area shot up to 10.7 percent, its highest level since the 1980s.
Many fired at the beginning of the recession are already beginning to exhaust their benefits. Here, for instance, is a reader comment we received this morning:
I have one more (half) check (EB) and I am done. Just received my "payment explanation" and it says "my entitlement to state extended benefits (EB) is about to exhaust. At this time there are no additional extensions". That 7 week extension sure would come in handy. Thanks and good luck finding work everyone.
Yesterday, another reader e-mailed us with a similar story:
I have 1 more check coming and have recevied my payment stub about 10 miniuts ago in the mail. My stub says YOUR ENTITLEMENT TO STATE EXTEND BENEFITS (EB) IS ABOUT TO EXHAUST. AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO MORE EXTENSIONS. So Illinois is still currently at 13 weeks EB. I find this hard to believe as most all the surrounding states have 20 weeks of EB. I have 3 kids and a wife All I can do is keep applying at 20 places a day and hope for the best.
Both legislative chambers passed Senate Bill 1350 last month, which modifies state law to trigger the additional 7 weeks (on top of the 13 already allotted). As of yesterday, the bill was still being held by the legislature. This morning, however, it was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. While he has 60 days to sign it, he shouldn't waste another minute.
UPDATE (8/26): We've created an open thread for readers to learn about the unemployment insurance process and discuss any questions or advice they have. Follow the link here.
Comments
THIS NEEDS TO BE ENACTED YESTERDAY! UNEMPLOYMENT SITUATION IS WORSENING WITH NO END IN SITE...................................IT'S A NO BRAINER USING 100% FED FUNDS
We recently needed to hire some people at my workplace. Usually we struggle to find good candidates, but this time we got over 200 resumes for each posting. We put out offer letters, but then some of the work got postponed and my boss, who is doing the hiring, said they are going to tell these people that their start date will be later than originally promised. He said that he knows we can do that without losing them because there is nothing else out there for them. I am so, so glad I am not looking for a job right now, and my sympathies to anyone who is.
And, just to complete the story, the reason we are hiring is because of projects funded with stimulus money. Without that we would probably be laying people off right now.
It always surprises me that getting a bill signed, that is an obvious must be do... sits on the desk of the Governor until the last minute, while the constituents that need this bill SB 1350 signed have to sit around waiting in complete anxiety for no reason! Sign it and move on... these people need the monies - there are no jobs out there and everyday there are less jobs and more unemployed. It will be signed, but last minute due to simply being obstinate is uncalled for - I do believe the people of Illinois will certainly remember this when they go to the polls, and many who vote are the ones that need this bill put into place... they pay taxes, have families and vote - it's not there fault that this recession has put them out of work - they are workers and want to work... if they didn't they would not be entitled to unemployment benefits. This is not a hand out... it's a well earned right due to a poor economy that they fell victim to. ...and more than likely another extension will have to follow! I do not get what there is that certain parties do not understand about this - and never will.
Why aren't we seeing the light at the end of the tunnel as yet?
governor quinn is to busy making budget cuts to sign this thing, I'm not feeling very confident our governor will sign this and urge others to contact his administration to get this signed. but what does anyone expect from Illinois government besides jail time. Illinois people haven't had the respect of having a governor that can even stay out of jail. now this. figures
Any word out there? Did this guy sign for the 7 weeks yet? Come on, we have kids to feed, and you can not get a job unless you know someone nowadays.
In the current economic situation, it is hard to get a job you want. Sometimes it is wiser to hand it over to an employment agency to help you find the ideal employer that suits you. All of my experiences with them are successful so far. I think that everyone who is looking for a job can consider approaching an employment agency.
Employment agencys I have tryed are so far backed up with unemployed people, they wont even take your name and let you inquire about your submitted resume. Most say apply online. or worse yet, take your gas to drive to a branch then make you fill out one hour of paperwork just to get told "well let you know."
Has anyone heard if he has signed this yet? i have been looking for a job for about a year and a half. I have followed all the rules and regulations that i should have. I had to postpone my wedding because of the layoff and not bieng able to find a job. i put in tons of applications a day, and i havent even recieved a call back. My fiance and i are about to have to even move back in with my parents because the place he works at, they had to take a pay cut and arent even working a full week anymore due to the economy. goof luck to all that are looking for jobs.
Congress, please pass the bill for 4th extension of unemployment. I am 71 years old and cannot find a job. I need to pay rent and eat. Thank you
Check out our new unemployment insurance open thread here
http://progressillinois.com/2009/8/26/unemployment-insurance-open-thread
I contacted Peter Roskam in a letter since I just received one in the mail regarding immigration issues in Illinois. I therefore sent a letter asking him to see what he could do about keeping the insurance at the reduced amount for the unemployed and extending our benefits. I am at 28 weeks. I have had thirteen interviews with nothing in site. I received the letter back from Peter Roskam and was told I should send it to Melissa Bean. Well I did go to her for support. I was told to go to the Village of Schaumburg. I did go to the Village of Schaumburg. I was then told to go to a seminar discussing jobs with social security. I did go to the seminar. I arrived one hour early. I couldn't even get in because the line at the Schaumburg H.S. was out the door. All I can say is unemployment is not keeping anyone in the loop of what is going on. If anyone can give me there e-mail address I would love to explain some of the difficulties I have had. Also can't get any food stamps because I receive 1300.00 every month in unemployment. My bills total 2700.00 a month. I am single but am depleting my savings and 401K. Have barely nothing left. What can I do????????????? I'm single no kids no family and will be out on the street.
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