SPRINGFIELD – After an unprecedented 14 months for the Illinois Department of Employment Security with thousands of residents out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bipartisan support for major reforms produced House Bill 2643. Sponsored by Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (Aurora), the lead Senate Democrat on the Unemployment Insurance Agreed Bill process, the overhaul package was signed into law by the governor Friday.

“Business and labor groups, IDES, and Democratic and Republican members worked in a bipartisan fashion to craft this omnibus approach,” Holmes said. “It targets the weaknesses revealed in a system that wasn’t designed to address the wave of job losses, thousands of people calling with problems who couldn’t get answers, and fraudulent claims all hitting the state at once.”

SPRINGFIELD – The office of State Senator Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) welcomes residents to a Mobile Office Hours event in Oswego on Monday, June 28 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm.

“Our goal is to provide representatives from my district office in Aurora in a more convenient spot for those who live or work in the southwest portion of the 42^nd District to seek constituent services,” Holmes said. “Whether someone needs help with unemployment claims, a state agency or program, a FOID card issue, or answers to questions about other local or state issues, we are at your service.”

Mobile Office Hours will be June 28, noon to 3:00 pm in the Community Room of the village of Oswego’s City Hall, 100 Parkers Mill in Oswego.

“As we begin shifting out of pandemic mode, we welcome anyone to join us and have a face-to-face conversation,” Holmes concluded.

SPRINGFIELD – Following unprecedented job losses and economic hardship due to the pandemic, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) sponsored a bipartisan reform package to address challenges faced by the Illinois Department of Employment Security during the unemployment surge, which has now passed the House of Representatives and is one step closer to becoming law.

“IDES, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and business and labor groups worked together to craft this omnibus approach,” Holmes said. “It targets the weaknesses revealed in a system that wasn’t designed to address the wave of job losses, phone calls and fraudulent claims all hitting the department at once.”

House Bill 2643 revises the Unemployment Insurance Act, allowing IDES to communicate with legislators’ offices about specific constituent cases, and requires IDES to give more information to those issued overpayments and their right to appeal.

SPRINGFIELD – To share news and answer questions about legislation passed in the recent spring session, Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) and State Representatives Barbara Hernandez (D-Aurora) and Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) will hold two town halls this week.

“The three of us have successfully carried priority legislation through the General Assembly this year, on behalf of our constituents,” said Holmes. “This is a chance to summarize what was accomplished and answer questions from our communities about the positive outcomes for our area.”

The three lawmakers are holding two sessions for area residents’ convenience. First up is an in-person town hall at 6:00 pm on Thursday, June 10 at the Perry Theatre at the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley Center for Community Enrichment, located at 349 S. Gladstone Ave. in Aurora. Get details and sign up here: http://ow.ly/UlKY50F4Z9z.

On Saturday, June 12 a second session will be via Facebook Live from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Get more details, RSVP, then watch here: http://ow.ly/Y97z50F4Zgu.

Both events are open to the public and members of the media are welcome to attend.