Illinois Unemployment Offices to begin re-opening

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced in-person workforce and limited unemployment services at American Job Centers on an appointment-only basis throughout the state. This week, appointments will be available at the Ottawa office in the South Towne Mall as part of another step in the phased return to in-person services. To schedule an appointment at any of these locations, individuals should call the IDES Scheduling Hotline at 217.558.0401 and request a callback. Appointments must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours in advance of the appointment time. Appointments will be available Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 5:00pm.
To ensure efficiency, each appointment will be 20 minutes in length and visitors will be afforded a 10-minute grace period. Visitors who schedule an appointment must bring a photo ID and any other documentation required for the appointment. A scheduled appointment is required for entrance into one of the offices. Individuals who arrive at an office without an appointment will be asked to schedule an appointment via the Scheduling Hotline for a later date.
Masks or face coverings are required when entering an office. If a visitor has been experiencing any symptoms or has been exposed to someone with COVID-19 within 14 days prior to their appointment, they will be required to reschedule the appointment.
IDES will continue to reopen additional offices on a phased basis and will announce the availability of phone appointments to further assist claimants.
Claimants are strongly encouraged to use the IDES website to apply and certify for benefits, enroll in direct deposit, change passwords, engage in work search, and connect with an employment services professional, among other services. Claimants can also continue to speak with an IDES expert over the phone, by requesting a callback at 800.244.5631. As a reminder, if a callback is received at an inconvenient time, claimants may reschedule the callback for a specific time with a call center agent.