Employment Security Closed Thanksgiving and Friday

CHICAGO - Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) service centers will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 22 and 23, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regular office hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, will resume Monday, Nov. 26.

Although IDES offices will be closed, services will be available at www.ides.illinois.gov People still will be able to file for first-time unemployment benefits, certify for benefits which is necessary to receive payment, and switch that method of payment to direct deposit. Because Thursday is a federal banking holiday, the availability of some benefit payments might be delayed. The IDES does not determine federal banking holidays.

The IDES encourages direct deposit. Direct deposit is a simple, smart and secure way to receive benefits. Debit cards also are available. There are no fees associated with a debit card at point-of-service counters that accept MasterCard, such as grocery stores, drug stores and convenience stores. Customers can request cash back after qualifying purchases. Fees likely will be assessed when using out-of-network ATM machines.

The IDES brings together job seekers and employers. In Illinois, there are more than 120,000 help-wanted ads on the IDES’ Illinoisjoblink.com

Illinoisjoblink.com is the revamped IDES employment website that links job seekers with ready-to-hire employers. This no-cost, on-line career resource allows individuals to create multiple resumes that emphasize different talents and allows businesses to search for specific skills. The keyword matching technology increases the likelihood of a successful new hire. Illinois JobLink emphasizes Illinois jobs, scrapes other commercial job boards, and compares favorably to private efforts that cost hundreds of dollars for a single advertisement.

Hiring managers can call (877) 342-7533 for direct assistance with illinoisjoblink.com