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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.
But for every 10 layoffs, three new jobs are created. CBS 2 is still tracking new openings in the Chicago area.
Illinois hired 140 people to handle the flood of applications for unemployment benefits, but applicants are still being blocked from getting money they desperately need because the system that can't seem to handle simple mistakes.
Finding a job is never easy, especially when you're looking with more than 30 million Americans out of work.
Jessica Wozniczka has been denied unemployment assistance because she left a job to take a new job that never materialized due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jill Schlesinger, certified financial planner and CBS News business analyst, looks at how to devise a game plan for paying bills when money is tight.
The new builds are part of a broad and bold plan from the Hope Center Foundation and other community organizations.
No injuries were reported, but traffic was moving only in the left lane of eastbound I-80 after the crash, Illinois State Police said.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Wednesday that it had detected presumptive positive human case of H5N1 in Barron County.
The Salvation Army says once all families have been served, they will give the rest of the boxes over to the community.
Shundra Johnson and Leonard Stepheny said they often relive the traumatic experience and are now in physical and mental health therapy.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it will take up a challenge to a new law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in the U.S.
The House Ethics Committee voted to release its report on the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz on Dec. 5, according to multiple sources.
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.
Thornton Township Trustees Christopher Gonzalez and Carmen Carlisle have been going to great lengths to stall movement on Henyard's plans for the township.
Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, won Illinois' popular vote in November, and will get all 19 of the state's electoral votes.
Anyone who has an affected Connie's Pizza in the freezer should either throw it out or bring it back to the store for a refund.
The Chicago-based company is accused of tricking diners about delivery fees, misleading drivers about pay, and listing restaurants on its platform without permission.
Back in 2017, the city promised to replace the smelly windows after the CBS News Chicago Investigators exposed the issue. But just a tiny fraction of the windows in question have been replaced.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the department's Wage and Hour Division has an open investigation with a HelloFresh facility in Aurora.
Thomas Riolo said he is paying the price for an update to his report that shows damage to his vehicle for which he is not responsible. The damage in question happened before he even owned the car.
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services announced Wednesday that it had detected presumptive positive human case of H5N1 in Barron County.
The sisters share a special bond of getting a second chance at life, which they both received at the age of 38 years old.
An even larger investment of $500 million is going toward 10 new outpatient facilities throughout the South Side that will add 85,000 health care appointments each year.
Scientists used the NanoGripper to grab particles from the SARS-CoV2 virus that causes COVID-19.
The program should launch early next year.
Owner Eddie Lakin made the announcement Wednesday. He said the last day for the restaurant at 1571 Sherman Ave. would be this coming Saturday, Dec. 21.
This move was anticipated back in the summer, and comes months after the mortgage company Guaranteed Rate changed its name simply to Rate.
Both President Biden and President-elect Trump have vowed to block the $15 billion acquisition on national security grounds.
The bar has been in the ownership of the same family since 1989.
Experts said Tuesday night that the industry is facing hard times because of factors such as slowing sales and diminishing reimbursements—leading to store closures.
Taylor also played two nights at Ravinia this past June.
Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut announced the nominations for the 82nd annual Golden Globes, with 10 nominees revealed live on CBS News.
The lawsuit alleges the unidentified girl was raped at a Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.
Social media sleuths noticed that the house next door to the iconic "Home Alone" house in Winnetka is now up for sale.
Here are the top songs, artists, and albums streamed on Spotify in Chicago this year, according to communications agency Burson Global.
Williams' completion percentage so far this year is 61.9%, which would be lower than any of his three college seasons. Matt Zahn reports.
The new builds are part of a broad and bold plan from the Hope Center Foundation and other community organizations. Noel Brennan reports.
The proposed relocation plan for people here in Elgin focuses on safety following those two fires. Tara Molina reports.
Shundra Johnson and Leonard Stepheny were preparing to get on an Amtrak train to go to Missouri for their honeymoon, but instead, the passenger cart they were riding in fell onto the tracks and they had to go to the ER. Suzanne Le Mignot reports.
The bags of toys and boxes of food went to those in need in Chicago's Englewood neighborhood. Shardaa Gray reports.
The charges were dropped on the eve of Patrick O'Donnell's trial on two counts of aggravated battery and two counts of official misconduct.
The suspect is facing seven counts of first-degree murder and dozens of other charges related to the 2022 mass shooting.
Shundra Johnson and Leonard Stepheny said they often relive the traumatic experience and are now in physical and mental health therapy.
A homeless advocate whom CBS News Chicago connected with said putting the residents up in a hotel would be a start.
The new builds are part of a broad and bold plan from the Hope Center Foundation and other community organizations.
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 Chicago-based company is accused of tricking diners about delivery fees, misleading drivers about pay, and listing restaurants on its platform without permission.
Now-retired Joliet police Sgt. Javier Esqueda was charged in connection with leaking squad car video of a man who died in Joliet police custody.
The original bus company they paid $10,000 to take them to Tampa left them stranded Wednesday night.
The cheerleaders turned to CBS News Chicago for help—and some disturbing information was discovered about how the girls ended up stranded.
Williams' completion percentage so far this year is 61.9%, which would be lower than any of his three college seasons.
Donato skated out of the right corner and stuffed a shot past Logan Thompson to hand Washington a second straight loss for only the second time this season.
Layden Blocker led the way for the Blue Demons (8-3, 0-2) with 17 points. Conor Enright added 12 points.
This move was anticipated back in the summer, and comes months after the mortgage company Guaranteed Rate changed its name simply to Rate.
The move, which will also see the Yankees send right-handed reliever Cody Poteet to the Cubs, is a cost-saving move for Chicago, after acquiring superstar right fielder Kyle Tucker from the Astros.
Police have not said if the two burglaries are connected.
The suspect is facing seven counts of first-degree murder and dozens of other charges related to the 2022 mass shooting.
Tuhan "Amanda" Waller, 53, has been charged with five felony counts of retail theft. She had previously pleaded guilty to charges in three other shoplifting incidents.
An Indiana man, Joseph Corcoran, convicted of killing four people including his brother and his sister's fiancé decades ago was put to death, without any independent witness, marking the state's first execution in 15 years.
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.
