[ILLINOIS] Appeal process

[u/CollegeSnitch]

Hi,

I'd love some feedback and guidance on what to do. I live in Illinois and quit a job after 5 months of them barely treating a mouse problem at a small local bakery. It was to the point that the bags and boxes we use for desserts were covered in mouse poo and just so many other problems. I was concerned I would get sick or someone else would and I couldn't live with it, so I quit. I applied for unemployment but it was rejected and I'd like some feedback on how to successfully appeal or if I'm out of luck?

The first time I applied i stated the issue of mice and provided them photos and info on the first food safety report. This time around I have the report that was published one month after I left that says "they believe the situation is under control now." But it wasn't for nearly the entire time I was here, it was only addressed successfully after I quit.

Aside from this, there was a lot of other problems that I didn't publish to unemployment as I didn't know if less was more. For example, I started at the end of September I have in writing from the owner where she admitted in January that herself and multiple of us didn't have food handlers cards. I personally didn't get mine until February as it was never enforced.

Either way, is there anything here that could be fruitful or is this a lost cause? If its fruitful, what wording should I use, is there certain things that need to be said a certain way?

I'm more than willing to write about the concerns of Hantavirus and other mouse related diseases if there is any benefit to that.

[u/CollegeSnitch]

I have nearly everything. I have the first encounter in October recorded by myself and emailed to the owner, I have dozens of pictures dated from November to March. I have two seperate health reports, I have photos of mouse poo on packaging, bags, boxes, the floors etc. I have reports from after I left that they still had mice. 

Most of my conversations were verbal unfortunately. But I have all the reports to back up the existence and the images, videos, and first email.

[u/Embarrassed-Sun5764 → u/CollegeSnitch]

If you were in noncompliance because they never had you get a food handler card that’s 2 strikes against you- 1) they say you didn’t have proper documentation and 2) health department says you didn’t have proper documents to work there to begin with ; so your claims are more of a “she said, he said-“ nature. They can get an exterminator to clean it up.

[u/Embarrassed-Sun5764 → u/Embarrassed-Sun5764]

They disallow your employment because of non compliance getting a health card, and then for causing disturbance to the establishment. I THINK THEY SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN. You have a bit of navigating to go through. I wish you the best

[u/CollegeSnitch → u/Embarrassed-Sun5764]

To note, from what I was told my managers verbally, the health district never checked the cards, they were never fined, and they were never asked to close despite having a very active mouse problem, like there were mouse out and about during the day time. 0/10.