Local State Senators Take Administration to Task Over Employment Security Audit Findings

State Senators Darren Bailey and Jason Plummer are taking the Pritzker Administration to task over the findings from an audit of the Illinois Department of Employment Security.

(BAILEY)

Among the findings of the audit:

--almost $155 million in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance was distributed to ineligible claimants

--there was failure to validate the identities of 4,579 claimants before paying them close to $42 million

--35 claimants were paid benefits despite being deceased

--Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits were paid to 63 claimants who are 90 years old or older

Bailey said, "This is another example where the Pritzker Administration failed to put adequate measures into place to maintain the integrity of our state's unemployment system."

He echoed calls for a full performance audit of Employment Security.

(PLUMMER)

Plummer said, "As fraud and identity theft overwhelmed unemployment claims, the Pritzker Administration sat idly by and IDES' offices remain closed. That's not leadership."