IDES

IDES is the Illinois Department of Employment Security, the state agency that runs unemployment insurance for workers and the tax side of that system for employers. It handles unemployment claims, benefit certification, appeals and overpayments, and it also operates IllinoisJobLink.com, the state job search site, along with career and labor market resources.

Claimants call the claimant services line for questions about claims, certification and payments, and regular claimants certify every other week on their assigned day. Employers use a separate employer services line for MyTax Illinois reporting, payments and SIDES registration. IDES is open to the public, including walk-ins, though booking an appointment in advance helps avoid waits. Fraud and identity theft have their own reporting line.