Citing the lack of action on the state unemployment claims system overwhelmed during the COVID-19 pandemic, a state lawmaker begins the process to remove Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker from office.
Very few people have been commuting to work since Illinois’ stay-at-home order began at the end of March, which could mean tax and fare troubles are ahead for Chicago’s mass transit.
Record job losses hit the state during the first full month of COVID-19 economic fallout.
Just as Illinois opened its unemployment system to self-employed workers, the new system exposed Social Security numbers and other private information of 32,483 applicants, according to a Freedom of Information Act response.
"It’s really hard to put a new budget together and say this is where we’re going to end up. We know we can’t keep going like this for a long period of time."
Self-employed and gig workers were finally allowed to file for benefits last week, driving the total to nearly 1.1 million Illinoisans seeking help since COVID-19 hit the state’s economy.
“My store is closed. The morning I had to explain to my staff that I had to lay them off, I cried."
"I just don’t know how much more people can be taxed and remain in business."
"I don’t know what the future is for my business. I know I can’t go 150 days [closed]. There’s no way I will survive. I will have to quit something I’ve done for 22 years."
As new claims overwhelm an unprepared and inefficient system, the state has been pre-approved for a $5 billion loan from the federal government to ensure benefits continue to be paid.
“To the person who doesn’t understand survival as a small business, guess what happens if I close? I have a personal guarantee on everything in this store. I would go bankrupt, period."
Opposition to Pritzker’s order is growing, as small business owners sue to challenge the governor’s ability to order them into ruin.
“My center is family child care. The governor took and suspended all of our licenses throughout the state."
“If I lose my business, I might as well be dead as far as I’m concerned. I’ve done this my whole life. Now that may sound stupid to some people, but it doesn’t to me."