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About IDES

The Illinois Department of Employment Security is the code department of the Illinois state government that administers state unemployment benefits, runs the employment service and Illinois Job Bank, and publishes labor market information.

Our Vision

Our Mission

The Illinois Department of Employment Security will encourage economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital employment services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable labor market information, and administering unemployment insurance programs.​

Our Mission

Our Vision

The Illinois Department of Employment Security focuses on assisting those unemployed at no fault of their own with access to unemployment compensation and employment services, connecting with employers seeking to expand their workforce, and sharing data with policymakers looking to make informed, fact-based decisions that impact Illinois’ economy. 

What we do

What We Do

  • ​IDES administers the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, collecting roughly $2 billion in employer taxes and disbursing roughly $2 billion to unemployed claimants each year.
  • IDES provides employment services to employers and job seekers throughout Illinois.​
  • IDES provides employment and wage data for research and the development of sound public workforce policy.​