Gordon-Booth Passes Paid Leave Bill; Grants Employees Five Days Each Year; Governor Expected to Sign

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Employees would be entitled to a minimum of five days per year of paid leave for any personal reason under a negotiated plan passed Tuesday by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria.

“Whether it’s dealing with a sudden family illness or an emergency auto repair, sometimes life gets in the way of going to work,” Gordon-Booth said. “Requiring paid leave will have a significant, positive impact on the lives of residents across our state, and underscores our commitment to uplifting working families. I am appreciative of the work put into this from all stakeholders, including business and labor, to bring us to this moment.”

The Paid Leave for All Workers Act, passed under Senate Bill 208, requires all employers to provide their employees with a minimum of 40 hours (or five days) of paid leave per year to be used for any reason. Under the bill, a worker would begin to earn paid leave on their first day of their employment at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked. Employers – if they desire – may “front-load” leave by providing 40 hours of leave on day one of employment. They may also provide more than 40 hours of paid leave per year.

Senate Bill 208 provides that employees may use their paid leave starting on the 90th day of employment. An employer, however, may allow a worker to use it earlier. Paid leave may be used for any purpose without providing an employer a reason for the leave or any documentation or certification.

Workplaces can still require their employees to provide notice before taking paid time off. If the use of leave is unforeseeable, an employee is directed to provide notice as soon as practicable. Unused paid leave will carry over annually, up to 40 hours. However, employers are not required to cash out the balance of an outgoing employee’s paid leave.

Employers that violate the act would be subject to penalties, including fines and compensatory damages for the affected employee.

For more information, please contact RepJGordon@gmail.com.