Annoyed

I have always been proud of living in Illinois - of being from Illinois when I am elsewhere.  And when I am elsewhere for any significant length of time, I want to get back.  Illinois is home.

Over the years I have become more and more aware of ... issues ... with Illinois.  Graft and Corruption are rampant in the politics of the State - just look at the number of Illinois' recent Governors that have been or are in jail.

The business climate in the State is sluggish.  The state pension system does not have the money it needs to pay the pensions it promised to those who worked for the state because the politicians in the state legislature borrowed money from the pension funds to pay for various and sundry projects and/or programs but never bothered to pay the money back to the pension funds.

It's kinda like what the U.S. Government does to Social Security.

Anyway.

All states have an Unemployment Insurance program, the purpose of which is to help a worker who has lost his job through no fault of his own, last until he can find a new job.  The amount of the benefit is usually related to the amount of money earned during the previous 4 quarters.  No matter how much the benefit, Federal Income Tax and Social Security Tax are usually withheld.

However.

There are three states in the Union where there is an offset against the benefit based on receiving Social Security.  It IS legal to work and receive Social Security if you have reached an age where you can retire, but in Illinois and two other states, your Unemployment Benefit is reduced by 50% of your Social Security Benefit if you lose your job.

It's great, living in Illinois.  As long as you're young and you manage to keep your job.

Or you're in politics.


Ndinombethe.  Ubuntu.