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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.
"Almost no state has this available to them because you have to build a system. It's not something you add on to existing systems."
The streets outside Skills for Chicagoland's future are about as empty as the downtown office itself, but don't let the empty chairs fool you.
For many unemployed workers across the state, help is not coming easy. CBS 2 has been getting email from viewers who say they have been spending hours online or on the phone with no results.
CBS 2 continues to track issues with the state's unemployment system, which is still overwhelmed by requests amid the coronavirus crash.
Some businesses are having massive layoffs and may never reopen as the statewide stay-at-home order keeps non-essential businesses closed.
Millions of small businesses are expected to apply for these desperately needed rescue loans from the $349 billion Paycheck Protection Program, which was put in place to help them retain workers and pay bills during the coronavirus pandemic.
Small businesses struggling through the lockdown can start getting help from the federal government Friday.
With a glitching system and calls that are never answered getting in the way for those trying to file for unemployment in Illinois, one woman said she has been stuck waiting not for days, but for weeks.
CBS 2 Political Investigator Dana Kozlov on Thursday examined the growing frustration from some people trying to get help amid surging unemployment.
Just last month, the U.S. Department of Labor warned that Illinois was one of a handful of states that would not be able to handle a surge of unemployment claims on its own.
There were 178,133 unemployment claims filed during the week of March 23 in the state of Illinois.
"The key thing here is no one should lose their home whether it's a small time owner-occupied property, we don't want that property owner to lose their home. But we don't want the tenants to lose their homes either."
"We've asked people to stagger their application processes, their calls, as well as their online applications, because frankly the systems weren't built, nor was the staffing built to withstand this kind of onslaught," Gov. JB Pritzker said.
In the first three weeks of March alone, there have been over 130,000 unemployment benefit claims in Illinois - with so many people out of work and needing money the state is having trouble keeping up.
Illinois small businesses are adapting to delivery and online sales just to stay alive, but will customers even find them? Students at the University of Chicago have rushed to the challenge.
The math is staggering – according to the U.S. Department of Labor, there were 114,663 unemployment claims in Illinois alone last week amid the coronavirus crisis.
"I think most people understand that its pretty congested right now. So I'm being patient."
There were 114,663 unemployment claims in Illinois for the week that ended March 21, up more than 10 times for the week prior, when there were 10,870 jobless claims in the state.
Roughly 3.3 million people filed a claim for jobless aid in the week ending March 21, a nearly fivefold increase over the previous record in 1982.
The company said it has hundreds of job opportunities for people who have been laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I know what that it feels like to be down and out and sometimes you need someone to give you a helping hand."
The State of Illinois has fixed a database problem that delayed nearly 30,000 unemployment checks.
Workers' paychecks grew tepidly from the previous month and are up just 2.7% compared to the same time last year.
The oysters were sold as Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi.
Edwards shot 8 for 15, including 6 for 13 from beyond the arc for the Ramblers (9-1).
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.
Patriot Services Group saw how some were impacted by the fire that left a man dead, and decided to help by offering some apartments.
The activists are worried about how plants and animals along the river could respond to what they worry could be toxic materials.
Many, including alderpersons and the members of the incoming elected school board, are denouncing the planned agenda.
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.
The oysters were sold as Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi.
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.
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.
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.
The oysters were sold in Illinois, among other states.
Meteorologist David Yeomans has your 10 p.m. First Alert Weather forecast for Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
One hundred families from Proviso Township were given gift cards to Amazon Fresh worth $150.
Patriot Services Group saw how some were impacted by the fire that left a man dead, and decided to help by offering some apartments. Darius Johnson reports.
A couple of months ago, a former employee of a Orange Elephant Roofing & Solar contacted CBS News Chicago with a complaint. CBS News Chicago began an investigation, and discovered a massive multi-state operation that has left homeowners out of tens of thousands of dollars each in many cases. Megan Hickey reports.
Many, including alderpersons and the members of the incoming elected school board, are denouncing the planned agenda.
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.
Patriot Services Group saw how some were impacted by the fire that left a man dead, and decided to help by offering some apartments.
Shundra Johnson and Leonard Stepheny said they often relive the traumatic experience and are now in physical and mental health therapy.
The oysters were sold as Fanny Bay, Buckley Bay, and Royal Miyagi.
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 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.
Edwards shot 8 for 15, including 6 for 13 from beyond the arc for the Ramblers (9-1).
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.
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.
