Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Illinois
Whether 1099 contractors, gig workers and the self-employed can collect unemployment in Illinois, and what misclassified workers can do.
Short answer: A worker who gets a 1099 may still be eligible for regular unemployment, because a "1099 employee" is not the same as an independent contractor under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. Illinois Department of Employment Security, FAQs for Claimants
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | A worker who gets a 1099 may still be eligible for regular unemployment, because a "1099 employee" is not the same as an independent contractor under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. IDES says anyone who is unemployed or underemployed should file a claim, even if told they are not covered because they are an independent contractor or gig worker. If IDES decides you were covered, you can qualify even if the employer did not pay unemployment taxes on your wages. For partly unemployed contractors, IDES decides whether the work is covered, sets a weekly benefit from past covered wages, and pays for a week only if current income does not exceed that amount. |
|---|
Where to get help in Illinois
More Illinois unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Illinois Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment After Being Fired in Illinois
- Unemployment After Quitting in Illinois
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Illinois
- How to File for Unemployment in Illinois
- All Illinois unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Illinois?
A worker who gets a 1099 may still be eligible for regular unemployment, because a "1099 employee" is not the same as an independent contractor under the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act. IDES says anyone who is unemployed or underemployed should file a claim, even if told they are not covered because they are an independent contractor or gig worker. If IDES decides you were covered, you can qualify even if the employer did not pay unemployment taxes on your wages. For partly unemployed contractors, IDES decides whether the work is covered, sets a weekly benefit from past covered wages, and pays for a week only if current income does not exceed that amount.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.