(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois is joining 19 other states in extending unemployment benefits by 20 weeks as federal aid comes to an end with no clear second pandemic stimulus package in sight.
The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced Thursday the extension is an addition from the 13 weeks of employment benefits available in Illinois since May.
More than 25,000 residents filed for unemployment for the first time in the week ending Aug. 1, down from more than 33,000 the week prior.
Meanwhile, self-employed workers or 1099 "gig" workers have been victims of fraud: many report they were overpaid or received unemployment benefits even without filing for any.
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The IDES said the overpayments are an unfortunate consequence of a federal system haphazardly put together without much foresight during the beginning stages of the pandemic.
On Wednesday, Pritzker said the state is working with federal investigators to address the problem. He said the scam, which is a nationwide issue, largely affects the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, which provides benefits to independent contractors and 1099 workers.
Pritzker said in addition to working with law enforcement, the Illinois Department of Employment Security is also taking every action to track down and cut off fraudulent claims, reviewing flagged files to identify commonalities and patterns.
"The highly experienced money launderers who have perpetrated these crimes use the same payment methods that regular filers do," Pritzker said. "For that reason, IDES can't simply cut off common dispersal mechanisms that also serve as lifelines for innocent users."
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, the governor said you should fill out a claim online.