U.S. Labor Department announces release of $200.8 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Illinois

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has certified for release $200,767,125 in unemployment insurance (UI) modernization incentive funds to the state of Illinois. Illinois qualified for the remaining two-thirds of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) by including certain family-friendly provisions in its UI law.

"I am pleased that Illinois has made updates to its UI program to better meet the needs of today's workers and their families," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "This additional funding was made available in light of the state's implementation of legislation allowing workers who leave jobs for compelling family reasons to receive UI benefits. The law also increases the benefits for unemployed workers with families."

The Illinois Department of Employment Security can use the funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, for administering its unemployment insurance program or delivering employment services.

The Recovery Act made a total of $7 billion available in UI modernization incentive payments to states that include certain eligibility provisions in their UI programs. Each state can qualify for a share of those funds by showing that its law includes those provisions. Illinois's approved application will be posted at the department's Employment and Training Administration Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery/. Other approved applications can also be found at this site.