Because Illinois’ Unemployment Rate Has Dropped, Federal Government Reduces Extended Benefits for PUA Recipients, Regular Unemployment Recipients Continue to Receive 11 Additional Weeks Under PEUC

SPRINGFIELD – Because Illinois’ unemployment rate has dropped, federal rules now prohibit individuals from seeking seven additional weeks of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), a new federal effort to cover individuals who did not qualify for regular unemployment and which largely covers those who are self-employed.

“This is precisely why I’ve encouraged Congress to set out long-term rules that help the people most hurt by this pandemic, and why it’s imperative that they pass something immediately that corrects this gap,” Governor JB Pritzker said. “Our federal leaders must come together around a solution, and we will be ready to help people get the benefits they need to get through this pandemic.”

According to unemployment data published by the federal government, Illinois’ unemployment rate is now below the threshold for the state’s High Unemployment Period (HUP) to be active, and individuals no longer qualify for additional weeks of benefits provided during HUP. Under federal law, when a state is in the HUP, there are seven additional weeks added to PUA eligibility, as well as seven additional weeks added to Extended Benefits (EB) eligibility under state law. As a result of Illinois’ unemployment rate dropping, under state and federal law, the seven additional weeks for both programs are no longer available.

The maximum number of weeks available to PUA claimants has reduced from 57 weeks to 50 weeks. Additionally, extended benefits (EB) for regular state unemployment insurance benefits reduced from 20 weeks to 13 weeks. Federal law provides regular unemployment insurance benefit recipients with a transition to added weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits but is currently silent with regard to extra assistance for PUA claimants.

PUA claimants who have exhausted the 50th week or more have been, or will be, notified they will have reached the maximum number of weeks allowable under federal law. Barring additional federal action or extensions to federal unemployment programs, PUA claimants who have exhausted the maximum number of weeks will no longer be eligible to collect unemployment insurance benefits.

The Department is closely monitoring any action from the federal government to extend PUA benefits, in addition to the other federal unemployment benefits programs, set to expire on March 13, 2021. As was done with the CARES Act and the Continued Assistance Act, IDES will publicly provide individuals with programmatic updates, changes, and information pertaining to unemployment programs as they are made available by the federal government and the U.S. Department of Labor.

Those with questions or in need of assistance with unemployment benefits at this time are encouraged to visit IDES.Illinois.gov.

Please see attachments for requirements and details for each 2021 Summer Internship opportunity. Complete applications must include the following documents and be submitted by fax, email, hand delivery or mail to the Bureau of Personnel Management by March 31, 2021 by 4:30 pm.

• a completed form PM 2425 (application for seasonal employment) indicating your top three preferences for employment locations. The form can be downloaded from https://idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/employment-opportunities/employment/index ;
• official or unofficial college transcripts; registrar offices may send transcripts in pdf format to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• forms 284A Authorization for Release of Criminal Information and 284B Self Disclosure of Criminal History, these forms are also accessible on the website listed above.

No Interviews:
There are no interviews for internship positions. Eligibility is determined solely on the completed application package. Applicants should highlight relevant education/coursework and experience within the application.

Mailing Address:
Illinois Department of Transportation
Bureau of Personnel Management, Room 113
2300 South Dirksen Parkway,
Springfield, IL 62764

Fax: 217/557-3134

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ComEd reports results to Illinois Commerce Commission: benefits continue to outweigh costs

CHICAGO (Feb. 18, 2021) – ComEd this week reported to the Illinois Commerce Commission that residential customers are receiving savings and clean energy benefits from the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and that these benefits are greater than the costs to customers. Enacted by the Illinois General Assembly in 2016, FEJA is jumpstarting renewable energy and increasing savings through new energy efficiency solutions for less than the caps established by the legislation.

“FEJA is making good on its promise to help our customers and communities gain access to clean and more efficient energy, and the benefits continue to outweigh the costs,” said ComEd CEO Joe Dominguez. “Since the state passed FEJA, energy efficiency investments have saved customers almost as much energy as they saved in the 10 years before FEJA at about half the cost.”

ComEd’s annual reports to the ICC detail the total cumulative average investment costs and benefits in the first four years of FEJA. From 2017 through 2020, residential customers realized average monthly savings of more than $1.30 per month when factoring in the benefits of investments in energy efficiency and solar energy adoption. The net costs and benefits for commercial customers remain below the legislated cost cap of 0.12 cents per kilowatt (kWh). As of 2020, the net costs and benefits for nonresidential customers, who are exempt from energy efficiency programs, remain below the legislated cost cap of 0.078 cents per kWh.

Customer access to renewable energy is gaining traction under FEJA. In 2020, a record 10,250 ComEd residential customers connected energy resources like private solar to the ComEd grid. Commercial and industrial businesses and community supply projects brought the total to more than 10,500 interconnections, representing 183 megawatts of distributed generation. ComEd also connected 20 community solar projects in 2020, and 55 more projects are under construction. The distributed generation rebate program for commercial and industrial customers grew from $8 million in payments in 2019 to $21 million in 2020.

FEJA also is creating opportunities for underrepresented populations, including members of diverse environmental justice communities and returning citizens, through training provided by trade and community groups. More than 1,300 trainees have completed the Craft Apprenticeship Program led by the IBEW Electrical Workers Renewable Energy Fund, as well as the Solar Pipeline and Multi-cultural Job Training programs; more than 25 percent secured jobs in solar panel installation, or serving as energy brokers, site surveyors, training instructors or other positions.

Under FEJA, Illinois utilities, like those in many other states, treat energy efficiency like other utility investments, and amortize them over the course of their useful lives. For example, the cost of ComEd rebates to customers for new LED lighting is amortized over the expected useful life of the new bulbs.

This allows the company to increase customer rebates and make other investments needed to achieve Illinois’ aggressive energy efficiency goals while reducing the impact on monthly bills.

FEJA will be in place through 2031 and is designed to strengthen and expand funding for Illinois’ Renewable Portfolio Standard by establishing a long-term procurement process and providing up to $220 million per year in funding for wind and solar development.

Job Title: SEASONAL ENGINEERING
INTERN - DISTRICT 1

Agency: Department of Transportation Closing Date/Time: 03/31/2021 Salary: $17.00/hour
Job Type: Hourly Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 30

Applicants must submit the materials listed below by the closing date listed above:

• Signed and completed Application for Seasonal Engineering Intern (PM 2425)
• CMS 284A Authorization for Release of Criminal Information
• CMS 284B Self-Disclosure of Criminal History
• College Transcripts (official or unofficial)

Note: Only education/coursework and experience listed within the application and transcript will be considered for determining eligibility for this position.
Please visit https://idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/employment-opportunities/employment/index to download the Application for Seasonal Engineering Intern (PM 2425), CMS 284A Authorization for Release of Criminal Information and the CMS 284B Self-Disclosure of Criminal History form.

Submittal Options:

• Mail or hand deliver the completed application form PM2425, CMS 284A, CMS 284B and College Transcript(s) to: Bureau of Personnel Management, 2300 S. Dirksen Parkway, Room 113, Springfield, IL 62764
• Electronically complete and submit the application form PM2425, CMS 284A, CMS 284B and College Transcript(s) via email to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• College/Universities may submit College Transcript(s) in PDF format to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Agency Mission Statement

The Illinois Department of Transportation is seeking to hire Seasonal Engineering Interns for the summer of 2021.

The IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois.

Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose.

Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs.

We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team for the summer of 2021. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.

Qualifications

Position Requirements:
• Completion of high school
• Current enrollment in a college engineering program
• Valid driver’s license
• Proof of automobile liability insurance required at the time of offer • Frequent travel within the district
• ANSI Class 75, 6” or higher, steel toe safety shoes
• College transcripts

Position Desirables:

• Understanding of design plans/blueprint reading and the ability to perform necessary technical computations in plan preparation
• Education in math to the level of trigonometry
• Strong computer skills
• Knowledge of materials testing and laboratory testing equipment
• Ability to communicate effectively and follow oral and written instructions

Job Responsibilities

The Seasonal Engineering Intern Program is designed to give engineering students an opportunity to obtain on-the-job training from May 17, 2021, through August 13, 2021.

This position is accountable for providing engineering assistance for all aspects of highway related design, construction, and maintenance projects.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Provides accurate designs, measurements, computations, and documentation.
2. Keeps the Resident Engineer/Technician informed of any problems encountered or deviations made.
3. Ensures that work performed is in accordance with the specifications.
4. Performs all duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.
5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM Monday - Friday (30 minute lunch)
Work Location: Schaumburg - 201 Center Ct
Office: Office of Highways Project Implementation / Bureau of Construction / Region 1 / District 1 Agency Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Please visit https://idot.illinois.gov/about-idot/employment-opportunities/employment/index to download the Application for Seasonal Engineering Intern (PM 2425), CMS 284A Authorization for Release of Criminal Information and the CMS 284B Self-Disclosure of Criminal History form.