Washington, Oct 3, 2008 -

Legislation extending unemployment assistance especially to people who need it most passed the House this afternoon by a 368-28 vote.  Included in the package are provisions pushed by U.S. Rep. Jerry Weller (R-Morris), targeting assistance to people in “high unemployment” states – including Illinois – where work is the hardest to find.  Weller, the Ranking Republican on the House subcommittee that oversees unemployment benefits, had pushed for the targeted approach all year.

“This morning’s unemployment numbers show this legislation is needed immediately,” Weller said.  “The number of people out of work grew once again to 9.5 million.  In my home state of Illinois, nearly a half-million people are out of work, for a rate of 7.3 percent. 

“This legislation helps people who want to work, but simply have not been able to find work because of current economic circumstances.  It focuses on helping people who need it most – those who live in states hurt worst by the economic downturn, like my fellow Illinoisans.  This approach is pro-worker, pro-business, pro-Illinois, and pro-taxpayer.”

“I note that this legislation marked what will likely by my last speech before the House in my role as Ranking Republican on the Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee,” Weller said.  “When named to this position last year I promised to work to ensure those who need help receive the help they need.  Today again we honor that promise.” 

The bill would allow an Illinois worker who has lost his or her job to be eligible for 13 additional weeks (for a total of 52 weeks) of federal unemployment benefits.  The bill maintains the longstanding bipartisan Federal policy that people who have worked 20 weeks of the year would be eligible for 52 weeks (one year) of benefits – a policy that has been in effect since 1981. 

“I wish this legislation was not necessary, but it is,” Weller said.  “The economic concerns we see affecting the stock market and credit market have a real effect on real people with real jobs.  I am glad that one of the last pieces of legislation I have had a hand in crafting will give a hand up to people in Illinois who are living under tough economic circumstances.”