Mar. 14—CHAMPAIGN — A new state law guaranteeing nearly all employees in the state some paid time off could wind up having a negative impact on workers, according to a University of Illinois labor professor.
Michael LeRoy said the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (SB 208), signed into law Monday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, addresses a need in the public interest for paid sick time, "but I think it goes too far by giving people open-ended paid leave."
The new law, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2024, guarantees employees in Illinois the right to earn a minimum of 40 hours of paid leave — which can be used for any purpose — per 12 months.
Employees will earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours they work up to the 40-hour minimum, to be paid at their usual hourly rate.
Employees who earn tips or commissions must be paid at least the full minimum wage when they take their time off.
Illinois will become the third state, after Nevada and Maine, to require paid time off, though 14 other states have laws concerning paid sick time.
"Working families face so many challenges, and it's been my mission to alleviate those burdens in every way I can," Pritzker said.
Under existing law, workers aren't being guaranteed any pay for taking time off for such reasons as illness, child care, mental health, medical appointments and vacation.
Under the new law, "employers benefit from allowing employees to tend to the urgent personal matters of their lives," Pritzker said. "Workers' productivity...
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