Governor Signs Gordon-Booth’s Paid Leave Bill; Grants Employees Five Days Each Year Starting in 2024

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – After years of negotiation with business and labor, employees will now be entitled to a minimum of five days per year of paid leave – for any personal reason – under a bill passed by state Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, D-Peoria, and signed into law Monday by the governor.

“Everyone deserves the ability to take time off,” Gordon-Booth said. “Whether it’s to deal with the illness of a family member, or take a step back for your mental health, enshrining paid leave rights is a step forward for our state. Particularly for people who work multiple part-time jobs, I expect this to be incredibly helpful. I am appreciative of those who negotiated on this agreement, and look forward to the positive impact it will have on working families in the years to come.” 

The Paid Leave for All Workers Act, passed under Senate Bill 208, requires all employers to provide their employees with the ability to accrue 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.

The law takes effect Jan. 1, 2024. For more information, please contact RepJGordon@gmail.com.