GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER SAYS THE STATE IS WORKING TO MEET UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. 

THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYMENT SECURITY RECEIVED MORE THAN HALF A MILLION UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS FROM MARCH FIRST THROUGH APRIL 4TH. TO HANDLE THE INFLUX, THE GOVERNOR SAYS THE STATE HAS BROUGHT IN RECENTLY RETIRED EMPLOYEES AND EXPANDED DAILY CALL CENTER HOURS.

GOVERNOR PRITZKER SAYS THEY HAVE ALSO EASED ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND WAIVED THE WEEK PEOPLE USUALLY HAVE TO WAIT TO GET BENEFITS. HOUSE REPUBLICANS SAY THEIR OFFICES HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE CLAIM FILING PROCESS.

THE GOVERNOR SAYS MORE THAN 513 THOUSAND UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS WERE FILED BETWEEN MARCH FIRST AND APRIL FOURTH. THAT’S MORE THAN THE TOTAL NUMBER FILED FOR ALL OF LAST YEAR.