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"If we're just wasting more money by creating these beautiful IDES, cards and mailing them out across our state, it's ridiculous," Cindy Pille said.
As many wait for unemployment benefits or the debits cards they need to access that money, it turns out some people are getting those cards in the mail when they never even applied for unemployment.
Many jobless Illinois workers have taken advantage of the state's new feature in which they can skip countless calling and long hold times and let someone from the state's Department of Employment Security call them back. The problem is, some wait times have turned into days.
CBS 2's dozens of reports raised questions about IDES' overwhelmed system and uncovered how, in case after case, people were unable to successfully file for unemployment or get their benefits for months
The state system built to offer lifelines to those who are out of work is riddled with gaffes, according to one worker empathizing with people waiting months for unemployment money.
"We are still clearly not out of the weeds."
CBS 2 is Working for Chicago by getting advice from our career coach every Thursday.
Imagine taking the time to certify for unemployment benefits almost 20 times and still not seeing a dime. CBS 2 is Working for Chicago with reporting that uncovers failures by the state.
When Trump last campaigned in the state in January, the unemployment rate was 3.5%; now, 12% of workers are jobless.
CBS 2 is Working for Chicago as we continue to hear that many people are waiting to receive benefits they are owed. Some are struggling to get simple answers from the state.
Hundreds of phone calls, but no solution – we continue to hear from people who can't get through for help with unemployment claims or the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
Audits are holding up the federal money they're desperate for - that's what some gig workers tell CBS 2.
We're getting answers to your unemployment questions as CBS 2 continues Working For Chicago.
Just in the past week, we've heard from dozens of people who are still waiting on unemployment benefits – some since March.
There were 1,542,000 new claims filed across the country last week.
Around 2.5 million people got jobs in May, dropping the unemployment rate to 13.3%. More than half of those jobs added were at food and drinking establishments, but the overall unemployment numbers are still staggering.
The unemployment rate took a surprising drop, but while hope exists the road to recovery remains uncertain.
Are you thinking about changing industries during this difficult time?
"It's still difficult to get through and the websites don't work."
The Illinois Department of Public Health on Tuesday announced 1,614 new cases of COVID-19, and 113 additional deaths.
Felice had just started a new job in March, then the pandemic hit.
We have taken the allegations made by IDES workers to Gov. JB Pritzker to see how he plans to address the concerns they brought up.
CBS 2's extensive reporting as part of its "Working for Chicago" series continues to uncover how the state's system for applying for and processing unemployment claims is not only overwhelmed, but incapable of handling the extraordinary number of new claims from the beginning.
The Obama Presidential Center sits towering and shining new on the South Side. But down Stony Island Avenue, four addresses show the neighborhood's contrasts, the scars disinvestment has left and the promising new future being built around the new landmark.
The council members say the Johnson administration signed an NDA, which limits what they can tell the public.
Prosecutors allege the suspects robbed a home in Warren, Michigan, killing two people in December 2024.
Chicago police said a 15-year-old boy and three men, ages 32, 34, and 36, were on the sidewalk when an unknown SUV pulled up alongside.
An employee inside the store was hit and pinned under the car, police said.
Currently acting attorney general, Todd Blanche may face an uphill confirmation battle from some wary Republican senators.
U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin ruled in favor of a group of 20 states that challenged President Trump's new $100,000 visa fee.
Despite local hopes to rebuild Logan Correctional Center in its original Lincoln location, the Illinois Department of Corrections announced its plans to build a women's facility in Crest Hill, near Joliet.
President Trump abruptly ended an interview with NBC News when repeatedly challenged on his claims of election fraud
Former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel took a three-day bike tour through New Hampshire last week and this weekend.
An Illinois law banning "swipe fees" on taxes and tips — already delayed twice by lawmakers — appears to be on life support after a federal judge that once permitted it issued a permanent injunction against it this week.
A new study from the Cook County Treasurer's office underlines growing concerns about the impact the Illinois megaprojects bill could have on the county's property tax base and overall fiscal health.
As thousands of Chicagoans wrap up road trips over the Memorial Day holiday weekend, gas prices in the city have reached the highest levels seen in four years.
Consumer and environmental advocates said Monday that they found overcharges buried in the most recent rate-hike request by Nicor.
One week away from Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer travel season, with gas prices remaining high, negotiations were set to resume Monday at the largest oil refinery in the Midwest.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
While 330 Ebola infections are confirmed in central Africa and huge challenges remain, hundreds more suspected cases "have been cleared out," the WHO says.
June is World Infertility Awareness Month, and Northwestern Medicine on Monday shared the story of a woman who is celebrating the birth of her second child after a tumor disrupted her fertility.
The Centennial Park Aquatic Center in the southwest Chicago suburb of Orland Park has been closed to the public after two recent cases of E. coli infection.
Menopause can feel like a major turning point for millions of women, with symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog can make women feel like their bodies aren't their own.
Walgreens is set to close in Chicago's Chatham neighborhood on Thursday, and there's growing concern about where families will get their medications.
The owners of Gene & Georgetti steakhouse are suing a concessions operator over their expansion at Midway International Airport.
DraftKings announced Monday that it is closing its sportsbook operation at Wrigley Field after only about two years.
After more than 80 years, there will be no Ann Sather restaurant location in the 900 block of West Belmont Avenue in Chicago's Lakeview community, effective in June.
Flight attendants at Chicago-based United Airlines have approved a new labor contract, marking their first pay increases in six years.
Visitors will soon be able to check out the set from CBS' "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in Chicago, at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.
"Schmigadoon!" — which was tied for the most nominations, with 12 — won Best Musical, and "Liberation" took home the honor of Best Play at the 2026 Tony Awards.
Anthony Head played librarian and mentor Rupert Giles in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and recently appeared in "Ted Lasso."
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is on the cover of Madden NFL 27, the first Bear ever to grace the primary cover of the massively popular video game.
Peabo Bryson, a two-time Grammy-winning singer and songwriter known for Disney movie hits "Beauty and the Beast" and "A Whole New World," has died at age 75.
Parents are often told to wait until their children hit the teen years to give them their first phone, as research continues to roll in showing health worries tied to young people’s social media habits.
It was the sixth year for the event, emceed by our CBS Chicago’s own Suzanne Le Mignot at Shore Acres Golf Club. The money raised supports paws pet rescue mission.
The Food and Drug Administration has approved inhaled insulin for children with diabetes—the first needle-free option for kids.
Twenty-two aldermen sent a letter to Mayor Brandon Johnson on Monday—informing the mayor they're rejecting the move to transfer the meters to a new company until he provides details.
More spotty showers and storms remain in the forecast overnight and into Tuesday. Meteorologist David Yeomans has the latest.
Chicago police said a 15-year-old boy and three men, ages 32, 34, and 36, were on the sidewalk when an unknown SUV pulled up alongside.
A community will come together on Monday night to honor a city employee who dedicated his life to making Chicago streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.
The Obama Presidential Center sits towering and shining new on the South Side. But down Stony Island Avenue, four addresses show the neighborhood's contrasts, the scars disinvestment has left and the promising new future being built around the new landmark.
Despite local hopes to rebuild Logan Correctional Center in its original Lincoln location, the Illinois Department of Corrections announced its plans to build a women's facility in Crest Hill, near Joliet.
The forecast for a summer reopening of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park is growing cloudy, as negotiations continue between the owners and landlord, after the safety net hospital abruptly shuttered its doors in March.
The forecast for a summer reopening of West Suburban Medical Center in Oak Park is growing cloudy, as negotiations continue between the owners and landlord, after the safety net hospital abruptly shuttered its doors in March.
The Obama Presidential Center has been built with sustainability literally in its foundation. But its infrastructure for clean energy, environmentalism and climate change resiliency will also help the communities around it on Chicago's South Side.
A driver in Carol Stream says a band of hungry squirrels caused nearly $30,000 in damage to three different luxury vehicles because of plant-based parts they view as a tasty snack.
Legislation protecting Illinois customers receiving professional massages from sexual assaults and harassment is now on its way to Gov. JB Pritzker for his signature.
Could banning cell phones make Illinois classrooms better places to learn? State lawmakers are betting on it, sending a bill to Gov. JB Pritzker's desk to do exactly that.
Two members of Iraq's World Cup delegation were detained at O'Hare International Airport late Friday night. One of them was sent back home.
Team owner Cherie Travis came up with the playful name, which was inspired by the city's cold winters.
Two-time Gold Glove shortstop Dansby Swanson was held out of the Cubs' starting lineup for a second straight game.
Brandon Marsh homered for the third straight day and drove in two runs as the Phillies beat the White Sox in South Philly.
Stacey King, who played on the first three NBA Champion Chicago Bulls teams with Michael Jordan in the 1990s, has died.
Prosecutors allege the suspects robbed a home in Warren, Michigan, killing two people in December 2024.
An Illinois investment advisor has been indicted by a grand jury on charges that he swindled his clients in a Ponzi scheme.
One person was arrested after a pickup truck struck an Illinois State Police squad car in Chicago's Grand Crossing community early Monday.
Chicago police early Monday were investigating a stabbing that left a man dead in the Auburn Gresham community.
A man is dead after police said he was shot multiple times in the West Garfield Park neighborhood on Chicago's West Side.
