Opinion

Illinois shouldn’t emulate Michigan

Posted February 06, 2014 3:40 am

This is in response to the article regarding “State jobless offices closing.” I certainly hope that Illinois will do a much better job of setting up its online application process for applying for and receiving unemployment benefits than the state of Michigan’s system.

Their system is confusing and unreliable. I’ve applied for and have yet to get a single check since being unemployed in early December. You can call in, but expect to have to dial repeatedly for over 20 minutes to actually get something other than the recording that says, “Due to heavy call volume we cannot take your call now. Please call back.” If you do get through, expect to wait another 20 minutes before someone talks to you. You can also expect the person on the other end to hang up on you.

I don’t understand why I have to apply for unemployment through Michigan when all the work I do is in Illinois. I have dealt with the Illinois unemployment system in the past and I’ve found its employees to be much more helpful and understanding and the system is better set up. I hope it stays that way after the proposed changes.

Rosemary Maziarz

St. Charles

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