The 21st Show

Interview: Kristin Richards, Director of IL Dept. of Employment Security

Produced by Brian Mackey and Ryan Andrew Wilde
 
A woman checks information as information signs are displayed at IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Security) WorkNet center in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. Illinois reports biggest spike in unemployment claims of all states.

A woman checks information as information signs are displayed at IDES (Illinois Department of Employment Security) WorkNet center in Arlington Heights, Ill., Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020. Illinois reports biggest spike in unemployment claims of all states. AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

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As of November 18, 2020, the Illinois Department of Public Health has reported 606,771 COVID-19 cases, including 11,014 deaths. The pandemic has cost many jobs, leading to a crushing demand on government unemployment agencies, including here in Illinois. This summer, after months of problems, Gov. J-B Pritzker appointed Kirstin Richards to be the director of the Illinois Department of Unemployment Security.

The 21st was joined by Richards to talk more about the challeneges to the system and what changes that have been made. 

Guest:

Kristin Richards, Director of the Illinois Department of Employment Security

 

Prepared for web by Zainab Qureshi

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