Illinois Unemployment Benefits

To qualify in Illinois, you must have earned sufficient wages during your base period, been separated from work through no fault of your own, and be able and available for work. You must also meet ongoing work search requirements.

Yes, but your benefits will be reduced. Illinois's rule: 50% of weekly benefit amount disregard; earnings above reduce dollar-for-dollar. You must report all earnings weekly, including contract/freelance income.

Yes, you can do contract or part-time work while collecting unemployment in Illinois, but your earnings will reduce your weekly benefit. Illinois's partial earnings rule: 50% of weekly benefit amount disregard; earnings above reduce dollar-for-dollar. You must report all earnings for the week you performed the work (not when you received payment). If your earnings exceed your weekly benefit amount, you won't receive benefits for that week but your claim remains active. Important: independent contractor income counts as earnings and must be reported weekly.

Yes. Illinois adds $231 per dependent per week (up to 1 dependents) on top of your base weekly benefit. Your combined benefit with dependents can reach up to $859/week. This allowance applies even if your base benefit is at the $628 maximum.

Illinois provides up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits for eligible workers.

Illinois calculates your weekly benefit using the formula: (two highest quarter wages × 47%) / 26. The maximum weekly benefit is $628 and the minimum is $51.