Can I collect unemployment in Illinois?

In illinois do they ask you for places where you have applied for a job when you collect unemployment?

• Okay, I recently got laid off and got approved for unemployment. I got a letter saying I need to certify in a couple of weeks. I have a list of questions they ask, like "were you available to work, have you actively looked for work". But they must ask you for places where you have applied for work don't they? I'm going to certify online, and I'm not planning on actually looking for work for maybe 3 months because I'm just going to relax. I heard they don't ask for places you've applied for a job anymore, that you can just lie and say you actively looked for work and that's good enough. Is that true or do you have to name places where you have looked, and if so do they call those places to see if you just made it up?

• Answer:

  Lol hunni, trust me, I've been laid off since February and I've been drawing Unemployment since then, I even recently got extended for another 16 weeks! Wow, this economy really sucks doesn't it? If you just got approved for UI benefits, then every Sunday, or Monday (whatever day they tell you to file) either call and follow the prompts making sure you press 1 for yes and 9 for no....usually (in my state anyway) the first 6 questions are no answers which include.... Have you worked during this week? Have you received any holiday or vacation pay during this week? Have you received any benefits other than social security during this week? Etc... Etc... Etc... Then the last one asks: Were you available, able and willing to work this week? which would be yes Some Unemployment offices like mine require you to register with the department of workforce and labor so that they can help you find a job. I've done this twice already since my UI benefits started and there are literally no jobs out there, it sucks! Do not lie on your weekly filing claims though, be as honest as possible. If you work a side job for extra cash, report it as soon as possible because you don't want to chance permanently being banned from ever receiving unemployment again for a measly $100. Depending on the amount of UI benefits you receive, your first check should tell you how much you can earn without it affecting your benefits. Like mine for example is $55.00, but heck I live all the way out in bfe...the gas isn't worth trying to make an extra $55.00 Lol... So, to answer your question, no they do not check up to make sure that you have been actually looking for work, and no they don't call them to see if you inquired about a job or put in an application either. Your best bet would be to register for work at the unemployment office that way they can't say you're not trying. Good luck hunni!