The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced that it will close seven offices, including the one in DeKalb, and cut 192 jobs, citing federal budget cuts and falling unemployment claims. The agency said federal reductions require the decision since the IDES is nearly 100 percent federally funded.
The offices slated to close are in Centralia, DeKalb, East St. Louis, Galesburg, Jacksonville, Mattoon and Murphysboro. Offices were evaluated on several criteria, including work-load comparisons and lease considerations. Closings are expected in mid-March. Positions in other offices across the state also will be affected.
The reductions come at a time when the IDES says claim volumes remain 38 percent higher than prior to the recession.
Clients served by the offices are encouraged to access services electronically. You can find information about unemployment benefits at www.ides.illinois.gov.
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