Johnson Advances Plan to Help Laid Off Workers Access Unemployment Benefits

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As part of his efforts to support workers, state Rep. Gregg Johnson, D- Rock Island, has advanced legislation out of committee to require large employers to prefile unemployment insurance information with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) when dealing with layoffs, furloughs or temporary shutdowns.

“This legislation is about putting working families first as they deal with a difficult situation,” said Johnson. “Nobody wants to lose their job, and it can send a person’s life into a tailspin as they try to figure out what to do next. This legislation will help with their next steps as it requires companies to lay the groundwork for their employees to receive unemployment insurance.”

House Bill 4805 would require employers with 75 or more employees in Illinois to prefile unemployment information with IDES when conducting layoffs, furloughs or temporary shutdowns. Currently, employers are only required to provide information packets from IDES with information on how to apply for unemployment insurance benefits to employees who are laid off or furloughed.

“In an ideal world, quality workers wouldn’t have to deal with losing their jobs, but that’s just not the reality we live in today,” said Johnson. “With this legislation, employees will be better positioned to receive the support they need to keep moving forward. When working families are going through difficult times, it’s our responsibility to provide them with care and assistance.”