Illinois Expands Paid Leave and Protects Volunteer Emergency Workers
Illinois mandates 40 hours paid leave annually and strengthens emergency worker job protections.
Why it matters: Employers and legal counsel in Illinois must update policies to comply with expanded paid leave laws and reinforced protections for volunteer emergency workers, reducing legal risks and ensuring workforce compliance.
- Paid Leave for All Workers Act effective Jan 1, 2024 mandates 40 hours paid leave per year.
- Employees accrue 1 hour paid leave for every 40 hours worked in Illinois.
- Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act prohibits firing or disciplining volunteer emergency workers for emergency responses.
- Illinois law requires employers to provide leave for jury duty and forbids retaliation against jurors.
Starting January 1, 2024, Illinois imposes new paid leave obligations on employers through the Paid Leave for All Workers Act. Employees earn one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked, up to 40 hours annually, usable for any reason. This broad coverage applies to all employers except exempt groups such as seasonal workers, federal employees, and part-time college students. The legislation positions Illinois among states with comprehensive paid leave policies, enabling workers to take time for health, family, or personal matters. The AP reported several details on accruals and scope.
Aside from paid leave, Illinois strengthened protections under the Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act. This law prohibits employers from terminating or disciplining employees who are volunteer emergency workers—such as firefighters, EMTs, or disaster agency members—for absences or lateness related to emergency response. It also protects them from retaliation for responding to emergency calls or texts during work hours. Definitions and protections appear in the Illinois Statutes, Chapter 50, Section 748/3 and Section 748/5.
Further, Illinois mandates that employers provide time off for employees summoned for jury duty regardless of work hours, forbidding discharges or intimidation related to jury service. These provisions are entrenched in the state's court statutes. The combined new and existing statutes underscore Illinois' legislative effort to safeguard worker rights on multiple fronts.
Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth, the bill sponsor, said, "Everyone deserves the ability to take time off... enshrining paid leave rights is a step forward for our state." Legal advisors should update workforce policies to reflect these changes and mitigate compliance risks.
By the numbers:
- 40 hours — maximum annual paid leave under Illinois Paid Leave for All Workers Act
- 1 hour — paid leave accrued per 40 hours worked
- January 1, 2024 — effective date of Paid Leave for All Workers Act