Illinois Unemployment Calculator
Estimate your Illinois weekly unemployment benefit, duration, and total payout. Illinois pays up to $628 a week for up to 26 weeks. This is an estimate, not a determination.
An estimate, not a determination.
This estimates your Illinois weekly unemployment benefit from your wages. The state agency makes the actual decision based on your full wage record and why your job ended. File your claim with Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) to get your real amount.
More exact? Enter your highest-paid quarter
Most states base your benefit on your highest-earning quarter of the base period (the first 4 of the last 5 completed quarters). Enter it for a closer estimate; leave blank to use your annual income.
Estimated Weekly Benefit
$470/week
≈ 47% of your weekly wage · Illinois · estimate only
Max Duration
26 weeks
Max Total Benefit
$12,220
Standard 26 weeks. Not rate-indexed.
Illinois has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
This is an estimate, not a determination. The state agency calculates your actual benefit from your full base-period wage record, and eligibility also depends on why your job ended and your ongoing work search.
Your weekly benefit is based on your wages in the "base period" (usually the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters), replaced at roughly 47% up to Illinois's $628 maximum. Eligibility also depends on earning enough in the base period and on why your job ended (generally you must be out of work through no fault of your own). This is an estimate, not legal advice or a determination, and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
How Illinois Calculates Your Weekly Benefit
WBA = 47% of the claimant's average weekly wage in the two highest base-period quarters (i.e., 47% x (sum of two highest quarters / 26)), clamped to the IDES table min/max. Dependent allowance added on top: +9% of statewide average weekly wage for a non-working spouse, OR +17.3% for a dependent child (only ONE of the two may be claimed, not both).
The result is capped at Illinois's $628 maximum and floored at its $51 minimum (2026). You can collect for up to 26 weeks. Standard 26 weeks. Not rate-indexed.
Dependents: Choose ONE: non-working spouse allowance (raises max to $748) OR dependent child allowance (raises max to $859). Spouse allowance = 9% of prior statewide AWW; child allowance = 17.3%. Cannot claim both. Effective for benefit years/weeks beginning on or after Jan 1, 2026.
Source: Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).
Who Qualifies in Illinois
To draw benefits you generally must have earned enough during the base period (Standard: first four of the last five completed calendar quarters. Alternate base period (four most recently completed quarters) available if the claimant doesn't qualify under the standard.), be unemployed through no fault of your own (laid off, not fired for misconduct and generally not quitting without good cause), and be able, available, and actively looking for work. Must have been paid at least $1,600 in the base period, with at least $440 of that outside the highest-earning quarter. Illinois also has a one-week unpaid waiting period before benefits begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is unemployment in Illinois?
Illinois pays roughly 47% of your average weekly wage, from a $51 minimum up to a $628 maximum per week (2026). Use the calculator above to estimate your amount from your wages.
How many weeks of unemployment can I get in Illinois?
Up to 26 weeks. Standard 26 weeks. Not rate-indexed.
How is my Illinois weekly benefit calculated?
WBA = 47% of the claimant's average weekly wage in the two highest base-period quarters (i.e., 47% x (sum of two highest quarters / 26)), clamped to the IDES table min/max. Dependent allowance added on top: +9% of statewide average weekly wage for a non-working spouse, OR +17.3% for a dependent child (only ONE of the two may be claimed, not both).
What is the maximum unemployment benefit in Illinois?
$628 per week in 2026, or up to $859 with the dependent allowance. The maximum is set by the state and usually updated each year.
Is this calculator official?
No. It is a free estimate based on Illinois's published 2026 formula and caps. Your actual benefit is determined by Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) from your complete wage record and the reason your job ended. It is not legal advice and RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.
Disclaimer
This calculator is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice, a benefit determination, or a guarantee of eligibility. Unemployment formulas and maximums change (often annually); figures are current as of 2026-06-02. Only Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) can determine your actual benefit and eligibility. RecordingLaw.com is not a government agency.