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Il Dept. of Security Offices Closed October 11 to Observe Columbus Day


CHICAGO–(ENEWSPF)–October 8, 2010.  The offices of the Illinois Department of Employment Security will be closed on Monday, Oct. 11, in observance of Columbus Day. All services will be available on the IDES Web site. Claimants scheduled to certify for benefits that day are encouraged to use the Internet. TeleServe will be available.

Initially a day to remember when the explorer Christopher Columbus landed in the New World, the holiday has since evolved into celebrating Italian-American heritage. The first celebration occurred in New York in 1792. In 1892, President Benjamin Harrison issued a proclamation honoring the 400th anniversary of the initial landing. In 1905, Colorado was the first state to make it an official holiday. In 1937, Congress designated Oct. 12 as the holiday and in 1971 declared that the holiday be celebrated the second Monday in October. Illinois created the Columbus Day holiday in 1963.

Illinois has added +43,000 jobs so far this year. In August, the most recent figures available, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped -0.2 point to 10.1 percent. August marks the eighth consecutive month to show steady or declining unemployment rates. The three-month moving average of Illinois unemployment is down -0.2 points to 10.3 percent in August, the fourth consecutive monthly decline following 41 consecutive monthly increases. Nationally, the three-month moving average declined -0.1 point to 9.5 percent.  The unemployment rate identifies those who are out of work and looking for work regardless if they are eligible for unemployment insurance. A person not collecting unemployment benefits still will be reflected in the unemployment rate if they continue to look for work.

Although IDES offices will be closed, services are available at www.ides.state.il.us People still will be able to file for first-time unemployment benefits, certify for benefits which is necessary to receive payment, and switch that method of payment to direct deposit. The IDES will process customer certifications on Monday. Because Monday is a federal banking holiday, the availability of some benefit payments might be delayed. The IDES does not determine federal banking holidays.

The IDES supports economic stability by administering unemployment benefits, collecting business contributions to fund those benefits, connecting employers with qualified job seekers, and providing economic information to assist career planning and economic development. It does so through nearly 60 offices across the state, including the Illinois workNet Centers.

 

Source: illinois.gov


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