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As of July 8, 2026, IDES will no longer send benefit payments via paper check. You may select direct deposit or debit card as your method for receiving benefit payments. If you were receiving paper checks, you will be switched over to debit card payments unless you choose to enroll in direct deposit.

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Targeted Employment Areas / EB-5 Visa Program

Update: On March 15, 2022 President Biden signed into law the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 that includes authorization for an EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program to be effective through Sept. 30, 2027. Moreover, the Act grants approval authority for Targeted Employment Area (TEA) designations only to the Secretary of Homeland Security or a designee of the Secretary. As a result, effective March 15, 2022, the Illinois Department of Employment Security will no longer certify TEAs for high unemployment areas. For more information, please visit https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/permanent-workers/eb-5-immigrant-investor-program

If you have any questions about the announcement above, then please send them to DES.LMI@illinois.gov