Illinois Department of Employment Security

What Illinois Department of Employment Security does

Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is the state government agency responsible for administering Illinois' unemployment insurance program and serving as the state's primary workforce development authority. Headquartered in Chicago with a secondary office in Springfield, IDES employs 527 people and operates more than 33 local offices and American Job Centers across the state. Its two principal customer populations are Illinois claimants (job seekers and unemployed workers) and Illinois employers, both served at no direct cost to users.

The agency's core product is the Unemployment Insurance (UI) program, which processes claims, certifies bi-weekly benefits, and disburses payments via direct deposit (through the NoCheck.com integration) or prepaid debit card, with paper checks being discontinued as of July 8, 2026. Around this core, IDES operates a job-matching ecosystem built on IllinoisJobLink.com (a job board with 100,000+ listings and the required employment-service registration portal for UI claimants) and the CIS360 Career Information System, which is offered in four audience-tailored versions for adult job seekers, college students, high school students, and junior high students. Supporting products include MyTax Illinois for employer UI tax filing, SIDES for electronic UI claim data exchange, WorkShare IL for layoff aversion, veteran priority services, apprenticeship programs, fraud and identity-theft protection, and 1099-G tax form delivery. The underlying technology stack is a conventional state-portal architecture: an ILogin single sign-on service shared across Illinois agencies, the benefits.ides.illinois.gov web portal, the IllinoisJobLink.com platform, and the Tele-Serve automated telephone system. All claimant-facing services are accessible via web, mobile, or phone.

Funding flows through two mechanisms rather than commercial revenue: employer-paid unemployment insurance taxes deposited into the state UI trust fund, and federal grants from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The agency is led by Chief Legal Counsel Kevin Lovellette and is overseen by Illinois' General Assembly and executive branch. IDES does not have private shareholders, venture capital backing, or M&A activity; rather, it operates as a permanent instrument of state government with a mandate, scope, and budget set by statute and appropriations.

Name

Illinois Department of Employment Security

Legal name

Illinois Department of Employment Security

Website

https://ides.illinois.gov

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is a state agency that administers unemployment insurance, operates the IllinoisJobLink.com job board and CIS360 career information system, and provides workforce development services to all Illinois residents and employers, funded by employer UI taxes and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Employment Services

NAICS

Employment Placement Agencies (561311), Administration of Human Resource Programs (9231), Administration of Human Resource Programs (923)

SIC

Services-Employment Agencies (7361), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Unemployment Insurance & Employment Support Benefits (BPAIAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Workforce Benefits Administration (Enrollment & Deductions) (BPACAIAF), Payroll & Employment Tax Services (BPAHABAD)

Keywords

• Unemployment insurance administration
• Workforce development services
• Job matching platform
• Labor market information
• Employment tax administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Unemployment Insurance Tax Revenue: IDES is funded through employer contributions to the unemployment insurance trust fund. Employers pay unemployment taxes that fund benefit payments to eligible claimants. This is a government-mandated social insurance program, not commercial revenue.
2. Federal Grants: The agency receives federal funding through grants from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration for workforce development programs and administration.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) administers Illinois' state unemployment insurance program, providing temporary financial benefits to eligible workers who have lost their jobs, and operates the IllinoisJobLink.com job matching platform connecting job seekers with employers. The agency also delivers career exploration tools through the CIS360 system, employer tax administration via MyTax Illinois, workforce development programs including apprenticeships and WorkShare IL, labor market information, veteran priority services, and fraud protection services.

Product overview

IDES operates as Illinois' state unemployment insurance agency and workforce development authority, offering a coordinated suite of employment-related services. The core offering is the Unemployment Insurance program, which integrates with the ILogin authentication system and provides benefits through direct deposit or debit card payment methods. The job matching ecosystem centers on IllinoisJobLink.com (job board) and CIS360 (career information system with four audience-specific versions), while employer services include MyTax Illinois for tax reporting, SIDES for electronic data exchange, and WorkShare IL for layoff prevention. Supporting services encompass 1099-G tax form delivery, fraud protection, labor market information analytics, veteran services, and apprenticeship programs. All claimant-facing services require ILogin authentication and are accessible via web portal, mobile, or Teleserve phone system.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IllinoisJobLink.com: Online job search platform operated by IDES enabling job seekers to search 100,000+ jobs and employers to post job listings.

Products and services

• Unemployment Insurance (UI) State-administered unemployment insurance program providing temporary financial assistance to eligible Illinois workers who have lost their jobs. Includes claim filing, benefit certification, payment processing via direct deposit or debit card, appeals processing, and fraud prevention services.
• IllinoisJobLink.com Online job board and career marketplace connecting Illinois job seekers with employers, featuring 100,000+ job listings. Serves as the employment service registration portal required for UI claimants.
• Illinois Career Information System (CIS360) Comprehensive online career exploration platform offering job market trends, career planning tools, and educational and training information. Available in four audience-specific versions: Job Seeker/Adult, College, High School, and Junior (grades 5-8).
• MyTax Illinois Employer portal for reporting and paying unemployment insurance taxes. Enables Illinois employers to manage UI tax obligations, submit required reports, and access employer-related services.
• State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) Electronic data exchange system enabling employers to receive and respond to UI claims information electronically, facilitating faster processing of unemployment claims.
• WorkShare IL Program allowing Illinois employers to reduce employee work hours as an alternative to layoffs, with employees receiving prorated UI benefits to supplement reduced wages.
• Certify for Benefits Bi-weekly certification system for eligible UI claimants to receive benefit payments. Regular UI claimants must certify on their assigned day to receive benefits.
• Payment Methods (Direct Deposit/Debit Card) Unemployment benefit payment options including direct deposit to bank accounts and prepaid debit cards. Paper check payments discontinued as of July 8, 2026.
• 1099-G Tax Form Service Electronic and mail delivery of 1099-G tax forms documenting UI benefits received and taxes withheld, available through IDES claimant portal and Tele-Serve phone system.
• Fraud & Identity Theft Protection Services for reporting and investigating UI fraud and identity theft, including dedicated reporting channels for individuals and employers, and victim assistance programs.
• Labor Market Information Clearinghouse of Illinois employment data including Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), Current Employment Statistics (CES), Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), and employment projections.
• Veteran Services Specialized employment assistance and priority services for Illinois veterans, including priority job referral and dedicated veteran-focused career workshops and job fairs.
• Apprenticeship Programs Workforce development programs connecting Illinois job seekers with registered apprenticeship opportunities across various industries and trades.

Quantifiable outcome

• IllinoisJobLink.com features 100,000+ job listings

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bank On IllinoiscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank On Illinois is a partnership offering certified, affordable bank accounts with no overdraft fees for IDES claimants receiving unemployment benefits. There are 30+ certified bank account products available, enabling direct deposit of unemployment benefits. This partnership helps unbanked claimants access their benefits electronically.
• Bank On ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBank On Chicago provides additional certified bank account options specifically for Chicago-area residents, complementing the statewide Bank On Illinois partnership.
• NoCheck.comcoreTechnology or IntegrationNoCheck.com is the external payment processing platform used for direct deposit enrollment. Claimants are redirected to NoCheck.com to change their payment method from debit card to direct deposit.
• Illinois Department of Human ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADES collaborates with IDHS on job fairs, recruitment events, and shared service referrals. The agencies co-host virtual recruitment events and workshops for state employment opportunities.
• Illinois workNetcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllinois workNet is a workforce development portal that partners with IDES to provide job fair listings, career resources, and virtual job fair capabilities.
• U.S. Department of LaborcoreOthersADES receives federal funding through grants from the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration for workforce development programs. The career information system is funded by federal DOL grants and must comply with federal guidelines for use and distribution.
• Illinois State Board of ElectionsminorOthersADES partners with the Illinois State Board of Elections to provide voter registration services and applications through IDES offices and website.
• Central Management Services (CMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerADES collaborates with CMS on state employment workshops, recruitment events, and the 'Work 4 Illinois' program to help job seekers apply for state government positions.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Indeed: Dominant private-sector job board competing for job-seeker mindshare against IllinoisJobLink.com. Relevant peer for labor-market intermediation, the second core function of IDES, though without UI administration.
• ADP: Large incumbent offering employer payroll and UI tax filing services (ADP Workforce Now / RUN Powered by ADP). Compares on the employer-facing UI tax administration function, though operating as a private commercial service rather than a government agency.
• U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Training Administration: Federal funder and policy-setter for state UI and workforce systems. Acts as the federal counterpart overseeing state workforce agencies, distributing grants, and setting compliance standards that shape IDES program design.

Direct peers

• California Employment Development Department: California's state agency for unemployment insurance, job matching, and workforce development — a direct functional peer with the same statutory mandate, UI claim adjudication role, and job board offering (CalJOBS), serving a comparably large labor market.
• Texas Workforce Commission: Texas's state agency administering unemployment benefits (paid via TWC), workforce development, and child-care/employment services. Direct peer given parallel UI administration, employer tax, and Skills development/WorkInTexas.com job-matching portfolio.
• Illinois workNet: Statewide workforce development portal partnering directly with IDES on job fair listings, career resources, and virtual job fair capabilities. Closely aligned peer in workforce service delivery, with overlapping employer and job-seeker audiences.
• New York State Department of Labor: New York's state UI and labor agency, administering unemployment insurance, job matching, and workforce programs. Direct peer given identical statutory function (UI administration, employer tax collection, career services) within a similarly large labor market.
• Florida Department of Commerce (formerly DEO): Florida's state agency overseeing unemployment compensation, workforce development, and labor market information through the CONNECT system and Employ Florida job board. Direct peer sharing UI adjudication, employer tax filing, and job-matching responsibilities.

Emerging players

• Central Management Services (Illinois CMS): Illinois state agency co-hosting state employment workshops, recruitment events, and the Work 4 Illinois program with IDES. Comparable as a state-government workforce partner operating state hiring and HR administration services.

Regional players

• Workforce Solutions (Texas) / American Job Center Network: Workforce development boards operating American Job Center physical locations, the same network model IDES uses via Illinois American Job Centers. Comparable as the in-person workforce service delivery layer beneath state UI administration.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/illinoisdepartmentofemploymentsecurity

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Illinois Department of Employment Security