Illinois Unemployment Website 'Glitch' Leaks Personal Information

CHICAGO — A software error in the state's new system for processing claims for unemployment benefits for gig workers publicly revealed the personal information of an unknown number of applicants. Illinois Department of Employment Security officials confirmed Sunday they had identified a "limited data access issue" in the one-week-old system.

According to a release, department staff are working with consulting firm Deloitte on a "full-scale investigation into the matter" and more testing to ensure it doesn't happen again.

"IDES will release results of the analysis once completed and notify anyone affected," it said. "IDES will also explore further remediation on the part of Deloitte upon completion of the investigation."

More than 50,000 self-employed workers, independent contractors and others not eligible for the state's regular unemployment insurance program have applied for the new federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, according to the department. Gov. J.B. Pritzker previously announced there had been nearly 45,000 applications in the first day.

Federal funding for the PUA program is provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act. The act was signed into law March 27. On April 24, the state entered into a $9.5 million contract with Deloitte to set up the web portal, which launched May 11.

Four days later, a Mt. Vernon resident called her state representative in a panic to report she had just stumbled upon a spreadsheet that appeared to contain the names, addresses, social security numbers and claimant identification numbers of thousands of applicants for the unemployment benefits, according to the lawmaker.

State Rep. Terri Bryant, a Murphysboro Republican, contacted Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the head of the unemployment agency and, on Saturday, expressed dissatisfaction with the administration's response.

"Governor Pritzker and his administration should immediately release any information about this potential data breach as soon as possible so those affected can protect themselves from identity theft and fraud," Bryant said in a statement. "While we don't have all the details yet, we know that at least one person was able to easily access the personal information of thousands of Illinoisans. We need to make sure everyone who has applied for unemployment benefits is aware and protected!"

Late Saturday, a spokesperson for the governor confirmed to WBEZ that the state was aware of the problem and had begun an investigation to determine how many people's information was inadvertently made public.

"IDES is aware there was a glitch in the new PUA system that made some private information publicly available for a short time and worked to immediately remedy the situation," Press Secretary Jordan Abudayyeh said in a statement.

In addition to the contract to build the PUA web portal, IDES awarded Deloitte a contract worth more than $12 million to develop a new virtual call center to handle increased call volume and hire new call takers. Applicants unable to complete claims online have described reaching a human representative of the department by phone as impossible.

Earlier: How Gig Workers Can Apply For COVID-19 Unemployment In Illinois