How long benefits last
The total you can be paid in your benefit year is 26 times your weekly benefit amount, plus any dependent allowance.
Illinois Unemployment Benefits 2026
What Illinois unemployment insurance pays each week, how the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) works out your benefit, how long it lasts, how it is taxed, and where to apply.
Illinois unemployment at a glance
| Maximum weekly benefit | $628 |
|---|---|
| Minimum weekly benefit | $51 |
| Maximum duration | Up to 26 weeks |
| Waiting week | Yes, one unpaid week |
| Federal income tax | Taxable |
| Illinois income tax | Taxable |
With a dependent allowance the weekly maximum is $748 with a non-working spouse or $859 with a dependent child (benefit years starting on or after January 1, 2026).
How the weekly benefit is calculated
Your weekly benefit is 47% of your prior average weekly wage, worked out from the wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base period, read from IDES's Table of Weekly Benefit Amounts. A dependent allowance is added for a non-working spouse or a dependent child.
The unemployment benefits calculator models California, Texas, New York, Florida and Ohio; for Illinois, use the rules above or the agency's own estimate.
Waiting week
You must serve one waiting week, a qualifying period required by law. Benefits are not paid for it; it is usually the first week you claim.
Is Illinois unemployment taxable?
State: Illinois taxes unemployment compensation included in your federal adjusted gross income if you received it as an Illinois resident (or from IDES as a nonresident); railroad unemployment is the only exception.
Federal: Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
Federal tax is withheld only if you ask for it, so a year of benefits can leave a tax bill: the quarterly estimated tax calculator shows what to set aside.
How to apply
File your claim with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES). The notice it sends you with your weekly benefit amount is the official figure for your claim.
Apply with IDES →Frequently asked questions
How much does Illinois unemployment pay per week?
Illinois pays between $51 and $628 a week. With a dependent allowance the weekly maximum is $748 with a non-working spouse or $859 with a dependent child (benefit years starting on or after January 1, 2026). Your weekly benefit is 47% of your prior average weekly wage, worked out from the wages in the two highest-paid quarters of your base period, read from IDES's Table of Weekly Benefit Amounts. A dependent allowance is added for a non-working spouse or a dependent child.
How long can you collect unemployment in Illinois?
The total you can be paid in your benefit year is 26 times your weekly benefit amount, plus any dependent allowance.
Does Illinois have a waiting week for unemployment?
You must serve one waiting week, a qualifying period required by law. Benefits are not paid for it; it is usually the first week you claim.
Is unemployment taxable in Illinois?
Illinois taxes unemployment compensation included in your federal adjusted gross income if you received it as an Illinois resident (or from IDES as a nonresident); railroad unemployment is the only exception. Unemployment compensation is taxable on your federal return: the IRS says you generally must include in income all unemployment compensation you receive. Your state sends Form 1099-G showing what it paid, and you can choose to have federal income tax withheld by filing Form W-4V.
How do I apply for unemployment in Illinois?
Apply with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), the agency that decides your claim and pays benefits. Its notice of your benefit amount is the official figure.
Unemployment benefits in other states
California Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Texas Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Florida Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
New York Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Pennsylvania Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Ohio Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Georgia Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
North Carolina Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Michigan Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
New Jersey Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Washington Unemployment Benefits
Weekly amount, weeks, waiting week and tax.
Sources
Related Calculators
Unemployment Benefits Calculator
Estimate weekly UI benefits for CA, TX, NY, FL, OH — plus a PA reference
Severance Tax Calculator
Supplemental wage withholding, FICA, state tax on separation pay
Quarterly Estimated Tax
Four installments (4/15, 6/15, 9/15, 1/15), safe harbor 90%/100%
State Income Tax
All 50-state brackets, credits, deductions for your filing status