Metro East Sun

State Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) is among those leading the charge in calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reopen unemployment offices across the state as many residents continue to complain about the poor service they’re receiving.

“My office continues to help many Illinoisans struggling with this inept administration and its failures with the unemployment system,” Plummer said. “We are now onto the sixth month of this issue and so many Illinoisans are struggling to access this vital program.”

In a letter that was also signed off by nine other GOP state senators, Plummer said problems range from less than 1% of all calls being answered to abuse and fraud associated with the program being allowed to run rampant.

“The offices are still closed, there is no in-person assistance for these struggling Illinoisans,” Plummer added. “It’s not the pandemic any more. Every other state has figured this out. Illinois is an embarrassing outlier.”

With the state’s unemployment rate having fallen from a high of 16.8% to 11.3%, the group argued in its letter there is no legitimate reason for why the office shouldn’t be up to speed.

“Surely in six months, couldn’t we have installed plexiglass barriers and outside air ventilation systems in the IDES offices by now?” they asked in their letter. “Limit the number of people in the offices, socially distance, mask, all that, hell, we don’t care, put a tent up outside and buy laptops for the staff — but get these offices back open. People are hurting.”

When all is said and done, Plummer said there is only one way to look at the situation.

“It’s unacceptable,” he said. “If you, a family member or a friend need help please do not hesitate to reach out. My hardworking team in Springfield and Vandalia is doing their best every day to assist Illinoisans who, in their time of greatest need, are being tragically let down by their state government.”