DES-Emergency Extension Benefit Banking 7/1/26 -9/30/26

Background

The Department of Employment Security (DES) in Illinois is responsible for administering unemployment insurance benefits. The agency has been utilizing JP Morgan Chase Bank for check writing services and lockbox operations to ensure the distribution of these benefits to eligible claimants. This contract extension is necessary due to ongoing challenges in securing a permanent vendor following the withdrawal of KeyBank from the bidding process during contract negotiations, which were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Work Details

The contract with JP Morgan Chase includes: (1) a Benefit Payment Component for distributing unemployment insurance benefits through check writing services to eligible claimants; (2) a Lockbox Component for managing lockbox operations, which involves maintaining IDES accounts, processing lockbox transactions, archiving digital images of lockbox materials, and providing online banking-related reporting. The extension amount is $112,917 for the period from July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

Period of Performance

The extension period will be from July 1, 2026, to September 30, 2026.

Place of Performance

Services will be performed in Chicago, Illinois.

Bidder Requirements

There are no BEP vendors available for this NIGP code. The contract does not specify any set-aside certifications or additional requirements beyond those necessary for the execution of banking services.