The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has failed to maintain accurate and complete data on more than 2,800 people who claimed over $6 million in unemployment benefits. According to a report from Auditor General Frank Mautino’s office, IDES paid out more than $5 billion in fraudulent or excessive unemployment claims over a period that covered fiscal years 2020 through 2022. The State of Illinois needs to be held accountable for the lack of management of unemployment benefits. Read the full article here.