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California unemployment chief to retire amid claims backlog

Genevieve Ross/AP

FILE - In this Nov. 6, 2013, file photo Sharon Hilliard speaks during an Assembly Insurance Committee hearing at the state Capitol in Sacramento, Calif. Employment Development Department Director Hilliard announced Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, that she will retire at the end of the year. Hilliard, who has worked in state government for nearly 40 years, has led the department through the coronavirus pandemic, which saw an unprecedented number of people file for unemployment benefits. The agency has struggled to weed out fraud while keeping up with demand, leading to a backlog of more than 1 million cases. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross, File)

By: Associated Press

Posted at 8:38 PM, Oct 30, 2020

and last updated 2020-10-30 23:38:39-04

The director of California's unemployment benefits department said she will retire at the end of the year.

The announcement Friday comes after the agency has been overwhelmed by more than 15 million claims during the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency has a backlog of more than 900,000 people still waiting to receive benefits.

Hilliard has said the backlog won't be cleared until the end of January.

California Labor and Workforce Development Agency Secretary Julie A. Sue praised Hilliard for helping reset the agency's culture.

Republican Assembly Jim Patterson urged the governor to appoint a replacement from outside the agency.

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California unemployment chief to retire amid claims backlog

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