St. Sen. Sue Rezin says no one can be sure yet just how many people are out of work because of the shutdowns during the pandemic. Close to 400,000 people have filed unemployment claims in Illinois during the last two weeks. But not everyone who tries can dial in to make a claim.
Rezin says the unemployment office call center can’t handle all the calls. She and other lawmakers have asked the governor to hire more people to take the calls. She says the governor hasn’t done that.
Rezin believes some things should be done to ease the unemployment agony. Letting some people return to work, as long as they can keep a distance from others, is a big part of her idea. Landscapers, for example, are considered non-essential, but they don’t have to work close to others. They also are complaining that they can’t sell spring plants while the big box stores that are still open can.
Rezin also thinks some barbers and hairdressers could be allowed to cut hair in people’s homes or at senior care homes. And doctors and hospitals could be allowed to perform elective surgery. She says some medical services operate on very thin margins and will have a hard time coming back when things reopen.
Here’s part of an interview Sen. Rezin had with WCMY News on these matters Friday.