Glitter-Valentine's journey

I was laid off from my job in Illinois and now my former employer is contesting my unemployment claim, claiming that I was discharged instead. I have a separation letter that states my role was no longer available, which I hope can support my case. During the separation meeting, I was clearly told that the layoff was due to budgetary reasons and not a termination. I'm feeling frustrated and unsure about how to proceed. I've heard that many companies outsource their unemployment claims and often deny them as a standard practice, hoping that people won't fight back. I'm planning to submit my separation letter to the unemployment department as evidence and look into the appeal process. It seems like a hassle, but I’m hopeful that I can prove my case.