Collecting Unemployment and receiving commission check as a real estate agent (insurance, credit)

[Stella1977]

I have been working for a company for over 16 years that closed down and I have been collecting unemployment for the last 6 months. I recently got my real estate license ( I did not get paid for the days I have been in school as I reported them as I am not available for work). I am still available and looking for a job however recently I took a contract on a house for a friend of mine and I will make commission on it. I am an considered "an independent contractor" and I am not at the office at all, I am still home actively looking for a job. Once I report the commission check, will that disqualify me from getting unemployment benefits or will I just not get paid for the 2 weeks ( the commission amount will be over $4000). I obviously don't want to commit any fraud and I will report the commission as income I just don't want to loose my benefits. Any feedback would be appreciated. I am in ILL.

[ellebes711]

Did you ever get a reply on this? I am in the same situation, and looking for answers. Thanks!

[chet everett]

The language of the Illinois Code is not very easy to follow but the key is that even though you do not "earn unemployment credit" when working as a Real Estate Agent or anyone who is an "independent contractor involved in the "closing of real estate transactions" and would NOT be eligible for unemployment is you were "released" from such a role {you gotta laugh about the way it is crystal clear that certain title companies lobbied hard to exempt themselves from paying into unemployment insurance...} , the fact that any "commission check" is "compensation for services rendered or goods delivered" and such would be trigger suspension of any benefits you were receiving after been terminated from other employment -- 820*ILCS*405/**Unemployment Insurance Act.