OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

WGIL 1400: Unemployment Benefit Extension Possible

News Article

Date: Oct. 16, 2009
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action

Unemployment Benefit Extension Possible

WGIL 1400

A plan to extend unemployment benefits for those in Illinois and across the nation is under way.

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says a bill drafted by the Senate would provide an additional 14 weeks for jobless workers in all 50 states and would add six additional weeks of benefits for those states where unemployment is above 8.5 percent. That would mean an additional 20 weeks of benefits for those unemployed in Illinois, where unemployment is 10.5 percent.

"There are now more than six jobless workers for every job opening in our country and the unemployment rate in Illinois has reached 10 percent," Durbin said.

Durbin says more than 1.3 million Americans, including 50,000 in Illinois, are set to lose their benefits by the end of the year.

The U.S. House of Representatives has drafted similar legislation, but it provides an extension of benefits only in those states with the highest unemployment rates. The Senate will continue to debate the legislation next week.


Source
arrow_upward