SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- The Illinois Department of Employment Security is asking for millions more dollars in its budget after an unprecedented year.
Wednesday marks one year since IDES closed its offices across the state. What followed was a chaotic scramble to handle a historic surge in applications for unemployment benefits. Now, the agency is asking for millions as it seeks to re-open.
"For fiscal year 2022, the department is requesting $450.4 million all-funds appropriation including a $133.9 million increase in federal funds spending authority over the current fiscal year," said IDES Acting Director Kristin Richards at today's Senate Budget hearing.
Her agency is one of the very few approved by Governor JB Pritzker to ask for money.