Illinois Governor J-B Pritzker's administration will file emergency rules this week to clarify that individuals unemployed due to the Coronavirus can generally qualify for unemployment benefits to the full extent permitted by federal law.

Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Employment Security say if an individual is off work through no fault of their own, they can seek unemployment insurance benefits. The rules will provide assistance to individuals who may be restricted in the type of work they can perform due to the virus.

The administration is also asking Congress to waive interest on any federal loans Illinois and other state Unemployment Trust Fund accounts might require due to added strain from the outbreak, as well as maintaining the full federal unemployment tax credit for employers in states that may require those loans.

Governor Pritzker declared a state of emergency earlier this week.