About IDES

The Department of Employment Security is one of Illinois’ best-kept secrets. We’re mostly known for administering the state's unemployment insurance program. But we offer a lot more than that. IDES helps job seekers find jobs and employers find workers. We also analyze and publish a gold mine of information on the Illinois economy and careers.  Here's more about our core services:

Employment Services

IDES offers an online job matching service - Illinois Skills Match - to help match job seekers to employers looking for their skills. Here are other services we offer our statewide network of local IDES offices and Illinois workNet Centers:

For Job seekers

• Resume and job hunting workshops

• PCs with Internet access, fax machines, other career resources

• Specialized job search assistance for veterans and the formerly incarcerated

For Employers

• One-on-one IDES staff assistance, including recruitment

• Tax Credits for hiring disadvantaged workers

• Mass hiring for startups and new business locations

• Use of IDES facilities for recruitment activity

• Online tax filing

Unemployment Insurance

To assist unemployed workers and to help stabilize a dynamic economy, IDES administers the state’s unemployment insurance program. This employer-funded program provides temporary income-replacement for individual workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

• Individuals can file claims for unemployment insurance benefits online or in person at a local IDES office or Illinois Employment and Training Center.

• Employers can access a wealth of resources and information that help them comply with the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. Such resources include online tax filing and tips on preparing for an appeal hearing.

Workforce and Career Information

IDES’ economists, stationed throughout Illinois, conduct extensive analysis on the state’s economy and labor force. The output is a gold mine of workforce and career information available online at www.ILWorkinfo.com and in publications.

To contact us: Call 1-888-FOR-IETC (1-888-367-4382).