The Southern

SPRINGFIELD - Illinois' unemployed have 20 more weeks of benefits, now that a bill sponsored by State Sen. Gary Forby, D-Benton, is law.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed SB 1350 late Tuesday, a measure that amends the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act to extend the length of time jobless people can receive unemployment benefits, from 59 weeks to 79 weeks.

The bill also modernizes the state's unemployment laws and allows it to collect more in federal funding for the program, Forby said.

Under the new law, unemployment benefits will now be extended to victims of domestic abuse involving a family member, people forced to leave work for the care of a sick family member and people forced to leave work because a spouse has been relocated by his or her employer.

The bill was backed by labor unions, as well as the Illinois Chamber of Commerce.

"The unemployment rate is high, and in some parts of the state, it continues to rise," Forby said. "Extending unemployment benefits by 20 weeks will help give the victims of the economic crisis the time they need to find new jobs."