It's official. ONLY Illinois discriminates against senior workers

Illinois is the only place in the entire United States -- which includes every state, district, territory and commonwealth -- that still cheats older workers out of their full unemployment payments. At least 17,000 people a year get half their social security payments deducted from their unemployment payments. And to make it worse, at least 4,000 workers a year receive ZERO unemployment payments.

It's the result of the social security offset -- a rule that's been enforced since 1980. And the only people who can repeal it are the state representatives and state senators we send to Springfield.

The social security offset is age discrimination. And it's shameful.

Employers pay the same amount into the employment fund for every eligible worker no matter what the worker's age is. Employers don't get a discount for older workers. So, when older workers are eligible for unemployment, they should receive their full unemployment benefits -- just like younger workers do.

The offset affects more than 17,000 senior workers in Illinois. The amount of money it would take to right this wrong is $25 million A YEAR. Sounds like a lot -- but it's less than what IDES pays out in unemployment payments in ONE MONTH. 

Repeal would also save the money and time it takes to administer the offset -- and send letters to claimants that no one understands. I wonder if the lawyers who write the letters understand them.

If you live in Illinois, please let your state legislators know you want them to vote to repeal the social security offset. If you aren't sure who they are, send me your street address, including your ZIP Code, and I'll send you their contact information. Email me at n.solomon@icloud.com