With a passing vote from both the Illinois House and Senate on January 10, 2023, the new “Paid Leave for All Workers Act” is primed to become a new law guaranteeing almost all Illinois workers paid leave for any reason.
Also known as SB 208 Amendment 4, the bill is expected to be signed into law by Governor Pritzker, and will then take effect on January 1, 2024. The bill permits workers to earn and take up to 40 hours of paid time off, for any reason whatsoever.
What Is the New Law?
Under the new law, Illinois workers will now be entitled to earn a minimum of 40 hours (5 days) of paid leave during a 12-month period, whether the worker is full-time or part-time. Unlike some other existing leave laws, workers will not be required to give their employers any reason for using leave under the new law. Additionally, employers are not permitted to require any documentation supporting the need to take leave under the law. Under the law, employees must be permitted to take paid leave in increments no greater than 2 hours.
How Is Leave Calculated Under the Act?
The paid leave accrues at a rate of one hour of leave for every 40 hours worked. Exempt employees are presumed to have worked 40 hours in each workweek, unless their regular workweeks are scheduled to be less than 40 hours.
In lieu of the accrual method, employers may provide employees with a lump sum of 40 hours at the beginning of employment or each applicable 12-month period.
New employees are entitled to use paid leave...
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