May 18, 2021 – Governor JB Pritzker says there are no plans to cut enhanced unemployment benefits for out-of-work Illinoisans. The Governor says there are many reasons why some people haven’t gone back to work, such as needing child care or fear of getting the virus.
Representative Martin McLaughlin of Lake Barrington says the extra 300 dollars a week is making it very hard for businesses to reopen any further. “We need to demand the recipients of continuing benefits must seek employment. There are over 120,000 jobs available currently in Illinois, many with living wages, benefits, and great opportunities. Enhancing the continued benefit payments are incentivizing those individuals to stay home,” said McLaughlin.
Several states are opting to end the enhanced benefit but Pritzker says he doesn’t want to pull the rug out from under Illinoisans still struggling.
