The state is still lagging in getting people signed up for unemployment benefits. The Illinois Department of Employment Security has been overwhelmed by the record number of applications in the past month. Governor JB Pritzker says IDES is doing better but more needs to be done.

IDES has a process for signups asking that people with the last name A through M, file online Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday and those with names N-Z to file online Monday, Wednesday or Friday.

Anyone can file on Saturday.