First unemployment deposit is late, what should I check? after 4 years as a janitorial supervisor

I applied for unemployment in Chicago 25 weeks ago and the status page still says pending. It has been a long 25 weeks. I called the state line four times and only reached a recording. Is there a step I could have missed?

Keep certifying every week even while you wait. If they find you eligible, the weeks you certified are the ones that count.

Keep everything in writing and save the confirmation numbers. It made the follow-up calls so much easier.