Metro East Sun

House Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) wants to know why the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has not been working properly to provide benefits to Illinoisans and ended up having a massive data breach last month.

Meier said during a recent House Republican news conference that when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order took effect in March, he forced 1 million residents out of work.

"He should have ensured the system was working properly," Meier said. 

Meier also questioned why it was taking so long for the system to work, adding, "Why has it taken the state a month longer to employ the new system?" 

Meier said he was disappointed with the new system, which was provided by Deloitte.

"The enrollment website failed to protect sensitive information," Meier said. "We want to know what went wrong and what IDES is doing to ensure this never happens again."

Meier said he also wanted to know why Deloitte was given the contract for the new system, noting "I'm concerned with the process for a no-bid process with Deloitte. This audit will provide us with an accurate act as to what went wrong."

The Okawville lawmaker said he is worried for his constituents, as well as all Illinoisans who have not worked since March and have not received unemployment compensation.

"Since the governor put these people out of work they have not been able to buy anything for 11 weeks because they’ve never received checks," Meier said.

Along with many of the other House Republicans, Meier filed House Resolution 860 May 29, calling for a full audit of IDES and its unemployment benefits application system. Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) officially filed the resolution with the clerk.

House Resolution 860 calls for a full-range audit of IDES and its unemployment benefits application system. It directs the auditor general to conduct the audit.