The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Local Workforce Innovation Areas (LWIAs) provide services to employers in the state of Illinois who are planning or have gone through a layoff. Along with providing services, they, along with individuals and employers, have the ability to report layoffs in Illinois.

A trade layoff happens due to increased imports or production shifted out of the United States. Visit this page to find:

• Information on reporting a layoff.
• Illinois Trade Program and USDOL Contacts.
• Illinois Trade Downloads.

If your job may be, or will be, impacted by a layoff related to the employer moving jobs out of the country or increased imports, review the Trade information on this site. Additional benefits and services may be available to you and others impacted by the layoff if it is certified as a Trade layoff.

How to Report

A group of three individuals or more who are losing their jobs due to the layoff can complete the Online Trade Application. Multiple applications may be submitted to request certification by workers, the employer, a union official, or other duly authorized representative of such workers and your Local Workforce Area Operators or Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

A copy of the petition should also be submitted to the State of Illinois TAA Coordinators listed to the right. Print the form here: 2014R Trade Petition Form (PDF) and 2014R Trade Spanish Petition Form (PDF).

Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Specific Benefits:

• Employment and Case Management Services - Skills assessments, individual employment plans, career counseling, supportive services, and information on training, labor markets, and more (through TAA or other American Job Center programs).
• Training Benefits - Vocational training, on-the-job training, customized training designed to meet the needs of a specific employer or group of employers, apprenticeship programs, and more.
• Trade Readjustment Allowances (TRA) - Income support available in the form of weekly cash payments to workers who are enrolled in a full-time training program and have exhausted their unemployment insurance.
• Job Search Allowance - Reimbursement for costs of seeking employment outside of the worker’s commuting area.
• Relocation Allowance - Reimbursement for relocation costs for employment outside of the worker’s commuting area.
  
• Reemployment Trade Adjustment Assistance (RTAA) - A wage subsidy for up to two years that is available to reemployed older workers and covers a portion of the difference between a worker’s new wage and their old wage (up to a specified maximum amount).
• Health Coverage Tax Credit - A 72.5% credit if receiving TRA for the costs you pay for health care insurance may be claimed on your federal income taxes. For more info go to the IRS website.
  

​Status of Illinois Trade Determinations

• Petition Numbers Greater than 85,000
  State of Illinois Trade Listing (PDF)
• Petition Numbers Greater than 81,000
  TAAEA 2011 Trade Listing (PDF)
• Petition Numbers From 80,000 to 89,999
  2011 State of Illinois Trade Listing (PDF)
• The Trade and Globalization Adjustment Assistance Act of 2009, for petition filed since May 18, 2009
  TGAAA 2009 State of Illinois Trade Listing (PDF)
• TAA Reform 2002 Determinations, for petitions filed since November 4, 2002
  State of Illinois Trade Listing (PDF)
• TAA Determinations for petitions filed before November 4, 2002
  State of Illinois Old Trade Listing (PDF)
• NAFTA-TAA Determinations
  State of Illinois NAFTA Listing (PDF)

Agent Liable Contacts

• Illinois Agent Liable Contacts (PDF)

Trade Program Guidance

• Procedures and Guidelines
• Trade Program Forms
  
  

 

FAQs

Susan Boggs and/or John Ray
Illinois TAA Coordinators
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Office of Employment and Training
500 East Monroe, 9th Floor
Springfield, IL  62701
FAX:  (217) 558-2444

U.S. Department of Labor
Office of Trade Adjustment Assistance
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-5428
Washington, DC 20210
Phone — 202-693-3560 or 1-888-DOL-OTAA (1-888-365-6822)
Fax — 202-693-3584, 3585
http://www.doleta.gov/tradeact