For months now, we've been urging the General Assembly to pass legislation that would enable the state to to qualify for seven additional weeks of unemployment benefits. After all, the extension is funded entirely by the federal government as part of the stimulus package and it is badly needed considering the ongoing rise in unemployment. Last month, Illinois' jobless rate jumped to 10.1 percent, hitting a 25-year high. And just yesterday, the Illinois Department of Employment Services released data showing that the rate in the Chicago metropolitan area shot up to 10.7 percent, its highest level since the 1980s.

Many fired at the beginning of the recession are already beginning to exhaust their benefits. Here, for instance, is a reader comment we received this morning:

I have one more (half) check (EB) and I am done. Just received my "payment explanation" and it says "my entitlement to state extended benefits (EB) is about to exhaust. At this time there are no additional extensions". That 7 week extension sure would come in handy. Thanks and good luck finding work everyone.

Yesterday, another reader e-mailed us with a similar story:

I have 1 more check coming and have recevied my payment stub about 10 miniuts ago in the mail. My stub says YOUR ENTITLEMENT TO STATE EXTEND BENEFITS (EB) IS ABOUT TO EXHAUST. AT THIS TIME THERE ARE NO MORE EXTENSIONS. So Illinois is still currently at 13 weeks EB. I find this hard to believe as most all the surrounding states have 20 weeks of EB. I have 3 kids and a wife All I can do is keep applying at 20 places a day and hope for the best.

Both legislative chambers passed Senate Bill 1350 last month, which modifies state law to trigger the additional 7 weeks (on top of the 13 already allotted). As of yesterday, the bill was still being held by the legislature. This morning, however, it was sent to Gov. Pat Quinn's desk. While he has 60 days to sign it, he shouldn't waste another minute.

UPDATE (8/26): We've created an open thread for readers to learn about the unemployment insurance process and discuss any questions or advice they have. Follow the link here.