US Department of Labor awards more than $4M grant to implement, promote Illinois’ Short-Time Compensation program

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of a $4,187,442 grant to the Illinois Department of Employment Security to implement a Short-Time Compensation program and promote its advantages to the state’s business community. Also known as work sharing, STC seeks to prevent layoffs by allowing an entire group of workers to receive a partial unemployment benefit payment while their employer reduces their hours.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the grant will enable the Illinois Department of Employment Security to improve technology to provide employers and workers with better access to the program, and raise awareness among the state’s employers of the STC program’s availability and use.

“This award will help Illinois implement a Short-Time Compensation program to support the state’s business community as it continues its economic recovery,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Suzi LeVine. “Short-Time Compensation programs help avoid layoffs, which are costly for workers and employers, by providing partial benefits while businesses ramp back up.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act of 2020 provides up to $100 million in funding available to states for the implementation or improved administration of an STC program.

Learn more about STC and about the states with STC programs.