More Illinoisans Aren't Receiving Debit Cards With Unemployment Benefits, Call On Gov. Pritzker To Take Action
They expected to wait a few weeks for unemployment benefits, but now it has been two months.
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They expected to wait a few weeks for unemployment benefits, but now it has been two months.
On Monday, members of the so-called gig economy were finally able to file for unemployment benefits.
Gov. JB Pritzker on Thursday admitted that the Illinois unemployment system is "unfit to handle surge."
"I have a life. I have bills to pay. I'm stuck. I'm really stuck."
They've waited weeks and weeks for help, but starting Monday, Illinois gig workers should start receiving unemployment benefits.
Through CBS 2's commitment to Working for Chicago, we dig into problems Illinoisans face when applying for and receiving unemployment benefits.
Gov. JB Pritzker has said there is no real backlog on jobless claims in Illinois. But on Monday night, our sources said the backlog is real, and getting longer by the day.
The money is still there, but unemployed Illinoisans still can't access it -and bills are piling up.
As we've reported in recent days, penalty weeks have been forcing people to go for months without unemployment benefits – and the matter has become urgent for thousands of people.
When we continued to hear from people who have received unemployment benefits, but no way to access them, our Tara Molina started digging.
In response to multiple complaints, an Illinois state senator is calling for a discussion on penalty weeks preventing people from receiving unemployment benefits.
We exposed Wednesday night how few people are working the phones in Illinois to help those struggling to get through to finish filing for unemployment. On Thursday night, we were happy to report that number is getting a much needed boost.
As CBS 2 Investigator Pam Zekman found out, a simple mistake could mean you can't collect your cash.
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates 102,736 new unemployment claims were filed during the week of April 13 in Illinois
People in need of unemployment benefits and their situations are growing direr by the day. We have uncovered what is behind some of the madness, and it's simple.
Workers lose jobs when businesses can't keep their doors open, and the Illinois unemployment system is having a hard time keeping up with claims.
For weeks, we've heard the money coming for unemployment benefits in Illinois and will be there. But that is little consolation to the tens of thousands of jobless in Illinois who still can't file.
The number of people out of work continues to climb amid the coronavirus crisis, and the new numbers issued Thursday reflect that.
With unemployment numbers at an all-time high, the federal government is helping some states process claims faster.
CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov on Tuesday uncovered the reason why one woman is not getting any unemployment money, and on Wednesday, others reached out.
A struggling single mom told us Tuesday night that she is out of cash - but the state is putting her money on hold for months.
Since day one, we have been pushing for answers about the State of Illinois' overwhelmed computer system.
"So many families are hurting at a scale that this country hasn't seen ever in our lifetime, and our state unemployment filing systems – which were built a decade ago for a much lower number of claims – simply haven't kept pace," Pritzker said Monday at his daily COVID-19 briefing.
More than 200,000 people filed first-time unemployment claims in Illinois this week, breaking the record set last week. All those claims in the system also complicates what matters for people already approved.
CBS 2 continues to track issues with the state's unemployment system, which is still overwhelmed by requests amid the coronavirus crash.
In addition to norovirus, regular winter respiratory illnesses like RSV and flu are spiking, as is COVID-19.
REACH 21 is a program with the goal of helping kids through mentorship, education, athletics, job training, mental wellness support, and restorative justice practices.
The White Sox signed Rojas for a $3.5 million, one-year contract that was finalized Wednesday, while infielder Jake Amaya was designated for assignment.
Penn State lost to Notre Dame in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday night.
A 57-year-old man was traveling east on Irving Park Road in a Hyundai sport-utility vehicle and was making a U-turn to head west when he hit the squad car, police said.
City attorneys are recommending settlements in lawsuits tied to former CPD Commander Jon Burge, former Sgt. Ronald Watts, and former Det. Reynaldo Guevara - all of whom have been accused of framing dozens of people.
President Biden honored former President Jimmy Carter in a eulogy at his funeral.
Madigan is accused of using his power and influence to arrange for no-show jobs for his allies, and business for his own law firm.
The legislation is named in honor of Karina Gonzalez, who was shot and killed – allegedly by her husband – in July 2023.
DePaul University professor and transportation expert Joe Schwieterman said Chicago needs to take a look at what New York is doing with congestion pricing.
Many turned out to take advantage of day-after-Christmas sales that can be hard to pass up.
At Yorktown Center in Lombard, just about everyone who spoke with CBS News Chicago on Monday said the act of going out and physically shopping puts them in the Christmas spirit.
Scammers know many of us are waiting for packages this holiday season.
The National Retail Foundation projected roughly 157 million people across the country would shop last-minute and try to wrap up their shopping lists.
The strike was deliberately authorized in the midst of the busy holiday delivery season nationwide for a reason—with the Teamsters Union pushing the company for a contract.
In addition to norovirus, regular winter respiratory illnesses like RSV and flu are spiking, as is COVID-19.
Those with endometriosis, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, and female orgasmic disorder are now eligible to be prescribed medical cannabis in Illinois.
Lower immunity to the new GII.17 strain could be leading to more infections.
According to the CDC, at least 66 people have been infected with bird flu since last year. Most have had direct contact with sick birds.
The Louisiana patient was hospitalized with a severe case of bird flu in the first death in the U.S. caused by the H5N1 virus.
There remains a question of where exactly ground will be broken for the stadium.
Chef Bayless also addressed his lack of a relationship with his brother, sports broadcaster Skip Bayless.
John Carruthers and his thin crusts have raised $80,000—a lot of dough for charities around Chicago.
Many turned out to take advantage of day-after-Christmas sales that can be hard to pass up.
It may seem like a brave choice to launch a company making old-fashioned mechanical watches—when many wear new-fangled electronic alternatives. But the entrepreneurs' mission is bigger than just watchmaking.
As we say ADIEU to 2024, a new study has revealed last year's hardest Wordle puzzles in each U.S. state, including Illinois.
Peter Yarrow was a singer-songwriter and a social activist, but he was best known as one-third of the folk-music group Peter, Paul and Mary.
Here is the full list of winners who took home awards at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards.
Here are the books and characters newly joining the list of works in the public domain in 2025.
Taylor also played two nights at Ravinia this past June.
Meteorologist Mary Kay Kleist has your 10 p.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Thursday, Jan. 9. 2025.
The organization UCAN Chicago aunched REACH 21—a program with a goal of helping kids through mentorship, education, athletics, job training, mental wellness support, and restorative justice practices.
The viral infections putting such on a strain on health systems that one hospital in the northwest suburbs had to stop accepting ambulances earlier this week. Sara Machi reports.
President Carter was remembered Thursday not only for his service in office, but his extraordinary service after leaving the White House. Natalie Brand reports.
Leigh Waldman is in front of a pizza parlor, flower shop, and coffee shop that were completely destroyed.
The fires have scorched more than 45 square miles of the Los Angeles area—leaving total devastation behind.
In addition to norovirus, regular winter respiratory illnesses like RSV and flu are spiking, as is COVID-19.
Reddins was shot and killed last November while responding to a call of a man with a gun seen leaving a Chase Bank in Oark Park.
REACH 21 is a program with the goal of helping kids through mentorship, education, athletics, job training, mental wellness support, and restorative justice practices.
The White Sox signed Rojas for a $3.5 million, one-year contract that was finalized Wednesday, while infielder Jake Amaya was designated for assignment.
Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) said the wooden or plastic traffic barriers currently recommended for permitted street fairs and festivals in Chicago are a security weakness, and that needs to change.
Cook County sheriff deputies served only 25% of protective orders between 2021 and 2023, data show.
"San Antonio has really led the way in using aerial surveillance technology to prevent these activities," said Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd), who chairs the City Council Public Safety Committee.
Customers said contractors from the company, Orange Elephant Roofing & Solar, seemed simply to disappear into thin air. But that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Survivors, advocates and experts have weighed in on Mayor Brandon Johnson's pledge to create a task force to study the safety of Black women in Chicago.
The White Sox signed Rojas for a $3.5 million, one-year contract that was finalized Wednesday, while infielder Jake Amaya was designated for assignment.
Penn State lost to Notre Dame in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday night.
General manager Ryan Poles said the bears will "cast a wide net." At least 15 names have emerged for potential interviews.
Tre White also had 20 points to help Illinois (12-3, 4-1 Big Ten) win with scoring leader Kasparas Jakucionis sidelined by a bruised forearm.
Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzking was also reportedly up first for a virtual interview Wednesday.
Reddins was shot and killed last November while responding to a call of a man with a gun seen leaving a Chase Bank in Oak Park.
William Zientek, 46, was indicted last month in the shooting death of Dr. Olga Duchon, of Vernon Hills.
Their identities were not released as they were juveniles at the time of the crime.
The woman who was stabbed was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The other victim was not seriously hurt.
Some of the men now charged were already convicted in a deadly carjacking in Milwaukee.
