Cook County Unemployment Offices & Job Centers

    
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Where Is the Unemployment Office in Chicago, IL?Do you need to file for unemployment benefits in Cook County, Illinois? Do you have questions about your claim? You can find the information you need at the website of the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the state agency that administers unemployment benefits in Illinois.
If you haven’t applied for unemployment benefits recently (or ever), you might think you have to go into the local unemployment office and file your claim in person. These days, however, it’s much easier – and often, required – to file your claim online or by phone.
On this page, you'll find
contact information for the Illinois Department of Employment Security
contact information for local job centers, which can help you with your job search and may offer assistance in filing for unemployment benefits, and
links to our articles on how to file for benefits in Illinois, eligibility for benefits in Illinois, calculating your weekly benefit amount in Illinois, and more. 

Contacting the Unemployment Office in Cook CountyIf you want to file a claim for benefits, check on your claim, speak to a representative, or manage your unemployment benefits application, contact the
Illinois Department of Employment SecurityURL: https://ides.illinois.gov/Main Phone Number:
800-244-5631 
Illinois has local unemployment offices throughout the state. All use the same scheduling hotline number: 217-558-0401
Find addresses and locations for local unemployment offices and regional centers in Illinois at the Illinois Department of Employment Services's Office Locator page. 
Contacting Your Local Job CenterLocal job centers -- sometimes called One-Stop Career Centers or American Job Centers --can help you with cover letters, resumes, and job search efforts. Some job centers may provide assistance in filing for unemployment benefits. You may be required to register with a job center as part of your ongoing obligation to look for work while collecting benefits.
Contact your job center to find out about services and availability. Although some job centers provide unemployment services (for example, help in filing or managing your claim), others offer only job search assistance. And, some centers are closed, have limited hours, or are available only online due to the coronavirus pandemic. Call or email your local job center to find out about their offerings. 
source: U.S. Department of Labor
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CHICAGO: Southwest American Job Center at Daley CollegePhone: 773-884-7000Email: isa.melonwhite@eesforjobs.comVeterans Representative
 Eugene Johnson: eugene.johnson@illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Claudia Fuentes: claudia.fuentes@eesforjobs.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://www.eesforjobs.com/
              ADDRESS:7500 S. Pulaski Rd.

              Building 100
              Chicago, IL 60652

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CHICAGO: America Works of Illinois, Inc.Phone: 312-726-5627Email: awil@americaworks.comVeterans Representative
 Malika Rias (Corporate Representative): mrias@americaworks.com
                
Business Representative
 Jeremy Miller (Business Representative): jmiller@americaworks.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://americaworks.com/jobseekers/
              ADDRESS:205 W. Randolph Street

              Suite 920
              Chicago, IL 60606

              GoogleMap
              
CHICAGO: Northside American Job Center at Truman CollegePhone: 773-334-4747Email: ChicagoNorthsideAJC@rescare.comVeterans Representative
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Business Representative
 Noemi Padilla: Noemi.Padilla@equusworks.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://chicookworks.org/services/job-seekers/
              ADDRESS:1145 W. Wilson Ave.

              Suite 1917
              Chicago, IL 60640

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CHICAGO: Chicago Workforce Center - Mid-SouthPhone: 773-538-5627Email: charles.townsend@eesforjobs.comVeterans Representative
 Chiquita Graffis: chiquita.griffis@illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Joy Phillips: joy.phillips@eesforjobs.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://www.eesforjobs.com/
              ADDRESS:Martin Luther King Human Service Center

              4314 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Second Floor
              Chicago, IL 60653

              GoogleMap
              
CHICAGO: Westside American Job CenterPhone: 773-722-3885Email: rhearns@kra.comVeterans Representative
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Business Representative
 Nichole Morrison: nmorrison@kra.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://chicookworks.org/locations/westside-american-job-center/
              ADDRESS:605 S. Albany Avenue

              First Floor
              Chicago, IL 60612

              GoogleMap
              
CHICAGO: Chicago Workforce Center - Mid-SouthPhone: 773-538-5627Email: charles.townsend@eesforjobs.comVeterans Representative
 Chiquita Graffis: chiquita.griffis@illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Joy Phillips: joy.phillips@eesforjobs.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://www.eesforjobs.com/
              ADDRESS:Martin Luther King Human Service Center

              4314 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Second Floor
              Chicago, IL 60653

              GoogleMap
              
CHICAGO: Near West American Job CenterPhone: 312-994-8300Email: info@nationalable.orgVeterans Representative
 Eric Meyers: eric.myers@illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Jon Kimmel: jkimmel@nationalable.org
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://www.nationalable.org/jobseekers/
              ADDRESS:1700 W. 18th St.

                            Chicago, IL 60608

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CHICAGO HEIGHTS: South Suburban Cook County American Job Center at Prairie State CollegePhone: 708-709-7975 or    855-994-8300Email: Able@nationalable.orgVeterans Representative
 Jilliann Campbell: Jilliann.Campbell@Illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Gabrielle Bell: gbell@nationalable.org
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://chicookworks.org/services/job-seekers/
              ADDRESS:202 S. Halsted St.

              ATOC Building, Suite 148
              Chicago Heights, IL 60411

              GoogleMap
              
MAYWOOD: West Suburban Cook County American Job CenterPhone: 708-223-2652Email: emily.bradley@eesforjobs.comVeterans Representative
 (by appointment) Kevin J. Kelly: kevin.j.kelly2@illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Darien Tharpe: darien.tharpe@eesforjobs.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://chicookworks.org/services/job-seekers/
              ADDRESS:1701 South 1st Avenue

              Suite 10
              Maywood, IL 60153

              GoogleMap
              
MAYWOOD: West Suburban Cook County American Job CenterPhone: 708-223-2652Email: emily.bradley@eesforjobs.comVeterans Representative
 (by appointment) Kevin J. Kelly: kevin.j.kelly2@illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
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Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://chicookworks.org/services/job-seekers/
              ADDRESS:1701 South 1st Avenue

              Suite 10
              Maywood, IL 60153

              GoogleMap
              
RIVERSIDE: Southwest Suburban Cook County American Job CenterPhone: 708-222-3100Email: frontdeskajc@centralstatesser.orgVeterans Representative
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Business Representative
 Ana Granados: agranados@il.sercohq.com
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://chicookworks.org/locations/southwest-suburban-cook-county-american-job-center-2/
              ADDRESS:7222 W Cermak Rd.

              Suite 301
              Riverside, IL 60546

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SOUTH HOLLAND: Safer Foundation (South Holland)Phone: 708-596-0037Email: Veterans Representative
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Business Representative
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Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://chicookworks.org/locations/safer-foundation/
              ADDRESS:249 W. 162nd Street

                            South Holland, IL 60473

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WHEELING: North Suburban Cook County American Job CenterPhone: 847-484-8187Email: contact@bcsillinois.orgVeterans Representative
 Kathy Wager: Kathleen.Wager@Illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Debra Lawrence: DLawrence@bcsillinois.org
                
Youth Services Contact
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Website: https://www.northcookjobcenter.com/
              ADDRESS:1400 S. Wolf Road

              Building 200
              Wheeling, IL 60090

              GoogleMap
              
WHEELING: North Suburban Cook County American Job CenterPhone: 847-484-8187Email: contact@bcsillinois.orgVeterans Representative
 Kathy Wager: Kathleen.Wager@Illinois.gov
                
Business Representative
 Debra Lawrence: DLawrence@bcsillinois.org
                
Youth Services Contact
 : 
                
Website: https://www.northcookjobcenter.com/
              ADDRESS:1400 S. Wolf Road

              Suite 200
              Wheeling, IL 60090

              GoogleMap
              
How to Collect Unemployment Benefits in Cook County, IllinoisIllinois Unemployment Benefits at a GlanceIllinois Benefits EligibilityYou are eligible for unemployment benefits in Illinois if you are out of work through no fault of your own and you have earned at least a minimum amount in the time before you lost your job.
In Illinois, you must have earned at least $1,600 during the entire base period, and at least $440 outside of the highest paid quarter of the base period, to qualify for benefits. 
Illinois Unemployment Benefit AmountIn Illinois, your weekly benefit amount is 47% of your wages in the two highest paid quarters of the base period, divided by 26. You can find your benefit amount on the Table of Weekly Benefit Amounts. 
The maximum weekly benefit in Illinois is $578 per week.
How Long Your Unemployment Benefits Will Last in IllinoisIn Illinois, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.
For More InformationIf you have questions or need more information on unemployment benefits in Illinois, check out our detailed articles on:
how to apply for unemployment benefits in Illinois
information you'll need when you file your claim
who qualifies for unemployment benefits in Illinois
how to calculate your weekly benefit amount
how long your benefits will last
what you'll need to do to keep collecting benefits, and
what to do if your application for benefits is denied. 
See all of our Illinois unemployment articles here; just select Illinois from the list on the page. We wish you all the best as you navigate your unemployment claim. 
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Unemployment Unemployment Office ▼

What Are Unemployment Benefits?

What Are Unemployment Benefits?

Unemployment benefits are payments made by the state to people who are temporarily out of work through no fault of their own. They are intended to partially replace your lost wages while you look for a new job.

These benefits are provided through an insurance program run jointly by the federal government and Illinois. Each state has its own rules about who qualifies for benefits, how much you can receive, and for how long.

Taxes paid by employers in Illinois fund the program and employers may not deduct these taxes from employee wages. If an employer asks you to agree to have the unemployment insurance tax deducted from your wages, you can refuse. Such an agreement is not enforceable.

The extended and expanded unemployment benefits that were available through the CARES Act ended as of September 6, 2021. Some states have also changed their rules to cover those who are out of work due to COVID-19 .

More information about unemployment benefits in Illinois can be found on the website of the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Are Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits Available?

Are Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits Available?

No. The special pandemic benefit programs Congress put in place to help those who lost work in the coronavirus pandemic all expired on September 6, 2021. (In about half the states, these programs ended even earlier: Many state Governors decided to cut off these benefits during the summer of 2021.)

You may still qualify for regular unemployment benefits, whether you are out of work for reasons related to COVID-19 or for any other reason. See how Illinois determines eligibility for benefits.
Has Illinois Cut Off Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits?

Has Illinois Cut Off Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits?

As of September 6, 2021, coronavirus unemployment benefits have expired. This means they are not available in any state, for weeks of unemployment beginning September 6 or later. To learn more, see Coronavirus Unemployment Benefits No Longer Available.
Who Qualifies for Unemployment Benefits?
Who Qualifies for Unemployment Benefits?
Under normal circumstances, you qualify for unemployment benefits if you:
- lost your job through no fault of your own
- worked during the "base period" required by Illinois unemployment law before you lost your job
- earned enough in the base period to qualify for benefits, and
- worked for an employer required to pay into the Illinois Unemployment Trust Fund (most employers have to pay into the fund with only a few exceptions).
You may qualify for unemployment benefits even if you quit your last job, as long as you quit for a reason that is recognized as good cause to quit by the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, some states have expanded their unemployment insurance programs to provide benefits to people affected by the outbreak. If your state has changed its rules in this way, you may be eligible for state benefits if you are out of work for reasons related to the coronavirus. The federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, which provided benefits for people who were themselves affected or whose family members were affected by COVID-19, ended as of September 6, 2021.

For more information about eligibility requirements, see Who is Eligible for Unemployment Benefits in Illinois?
How Are Benefits Calculated?

How Are Benefits Calculated?

Each state has its own formula for determining your weekly benefit amount: how much money you will receive each week as your unemployment benefit. Typically, your weekly benefit amount is some percentage of your earnings during the entire base period or the quarter of the base period in which you were paid the most.

In Illinois, your weekly benefit amount is 47% of your wages in the two highest paid quarters of the base period, divided by 26. You can find your benefit amount on the Table of Weekly Benefit Amounts.
How Long Do Benefits Last?

How Long Do Benefits Last?

State law determines how long unemployment benefits last. In the past, virtually all states offered up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. In recent years, however, some states have shortened these entitlements.
In Illinois, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks.

If you are still unemployed when your Illinois benefits run out, you may be eligible for extended benefits. These benefits are available for an extra 13 to 20 weeks (depending on your state's rules) during times of high unemployment. See How Long Will My Unemployment Benefits Last in Illinois for details on these programs.
What Is the Base Period?

What Is the Base Period?

The base period is the length of time used both to determine your eligibility for unemployment benefits and to calculate the amount you will receive.

In Illinois, the base period is the first four of the five complete calendar quarters immediately before you filed for benefits. For example, if you file for benefits on March 15, 2022, your base period will be from October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021. It would not include the most recent complete calendar quarter before you filed (October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021) or the first two-and-a-half months of 2022.

If you did not earn enough to qualify for benefits during the regular base period, you may be able to use an alternate base period that counts more recent earnings. In Illinois, the alternate base period is the last four complete calendar quarters before you file your claim.

If you reeceived a monetory award for temporary total disability under the worker's compensation or occupational diseases law, you may be entitled to an extended base period. In Illinois, the base period can be extended for up to one year, to capture earnings before your disability.
How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits
How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits
In response to the coronavirus outbreak, some states are limiting or barring people from gathering in public places. This may affect your access to the physical office of the Illinois Department of Employment Security in person. Check the Illinois unemployment insurance agency website for more information.

You can apply for unemployment benefits in Illinois a couple of ways:
- online by going to the Illinois unemployment insurance agency website, or
- by telephone if you call the Illinois Department of Employment Security at 800-244-5631 .
You can find information about how to file your initial claim for benefits and how to file your weekly claim for continuing benefits on the Illinois Department of Employment Security website, too. Get more information in our article, How Do I Apply for Unemployment Benefits in Illinois?
Checklist: Information You'll Need to File for Unemployment
Checklist: Information You'll Need to File for Unemployment
Whether you file for unemployment online, in person, or by phone, use this checklist to make sure you have all of the information and documents you'll need:
- basic personal information, including your name, address, phone number, and Social Security number
- information on all employers you have worked for in the last year and a half, including the company's name, address, and phone number; the start and end dates of your employment; and your earnings
- the last date you worked for your previous employer
- the reason why you are no longer working for your previous employer
- information on payments you are receiving or expect to receive from your previous employer, such as severance pay, and
- if you are not a United States Citizen, your alien registration number.
You can find out whether you'll need additional documents or information by contacting the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
About this Website
About this Website
Here at Legal Consumer, we want to help people find answers to everyday legal questions about important topics like bankruptcy, Obamacare, inheritance, and more.

Now, we’ve turned our attention to employment law. Because, while almost everyone has (or has had) a job, it can be surprisingly tough to get good, high-quality local information about workplace rights.

We'll be adding new topics over time, but we’ve started with unemployment benefits. If you’ve recently lost your job, unemployment benefits can be a real lifesaver. They replace some of your income, temporarily, while you look for a new job. But not everyone qualifies for benefits, and the amount and duration of benefits can vary a lot from state to state.

On this website, when you choose your state or enter your zip code, you will quickly learn:
- who is eligible for unemployment benefits
- how to apply for unemployment in your state
- how much you can expect to receive each week
- what to do if your claim for benefits is denied
- and more.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to get the information, forms, and resources you need to get the unemployment benefits you’re entitled to and move on with your job search.