Following Nevada and Maine, Illinois has become the third state with a mandatory paid time off program, effective January 2024. Sparrow’s Legal and Compliance team summarizes some notable takeaways to consider if you have employees in Illinois.
In early January 2023, the Illinois state legislature passed the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, which Governor Pritzker signed into law on March 13, 2023.
- Notably, this statewide Act will apply to all employers in Illinois, but it will not cover employees receiving paid sick leave under Chicago’s or Cook County’s pre-existing sick leave ordinances.
- Eligible employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, for up to 40 hours per 12-month period, although employers may offer more. Employers also may choose to frontload 40 hours at the beginning of each 12-month period. Employees can start using their paid time off once they have worked for 90 calendar days, or beginning March 31, 2024, whichever is later.
- Employees will not have to explain the reason for their absence, and the Act expressly prohibits employers from requiring documentation or certification to support an employee’s need for leave, as long as they provide notice in accordance with reasonable employer standards.
This is an active time for leave-related legislation. Each year, states nationwide review and revise their legislation to make it more accessible. If your team is managing leave in multiple states, staying abreast of these frequent changes can be a struggle. Outsourcing employee leave to Sparrow, the first true end-to-end leave management provider for modern employers, can provide you with confidence in your leave compliance.