On March 13, 2023, Illinois became only the third state to mandate paid time off for all workers in the state when it enacted the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. The act is effective January 1, 2024.
Under the act, covered employers must provide employees with up to 40 hours of paid leave during a 12-month period. The act applies to all private sector employers, regardless of size, but it excepts from coverage seasonal workers and college students working temporary jobs for their universities. In addition, employees who are covered under the Chicago or Cook County paid sick leave ordinances will continue to be covered by those existing laws rather than the act. Importantly, for employers with existing paid leave programs (such as a PTO policy), that existing leave program will satisfy the requirements of the act if (1) employees have at least 40 hours of paid time off in a 12-month period and (2) can take leave for any reason.
In a statement, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said, "Employers benefit from allowing employees to tend to the urgent personal matters of their lives. Workers' productivity increases, and they often gain greater passion for their job when they can manage the stresses they face outside work. I'm exceptionally proud that labor and business came together to recognize the value of this requirement to employees and employers alike." The governor's office also stated that "approximately 1.5 million workers will begin earning paid time off starting in 2024."
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