Illinois recently became one of three states to require employers to offer paid time off for any reason.  This will take effect next year.

 

Beginning Jan. 1st, 2024, Illinois employers must offer workers paid time off based on hours worked, with no need to explain the reason for their absence if they provide notice in accordance with reasonable employer standards.

 

Currently only Maine and Nevada mandate earned paid time off and allot employees the freedom to decide how to use it, but Illinois’ new law is further reaching, unencumbered by limits based on business size. Similarly structured regulations that require employers to offer paid sick leave exist in fourteen states and Washington, D.C., but workers can only use that for health-related reasons.

 

Illinois employees will accrue one hour of paid leave for every 40 hours worked up to 40 hours total, although the employer may offer more. Employees can start using the time once they have worked for 90 days.

 

With this legislation being signed by Gov Pritzker, several IFCA members have asked how will this impact our industry.  IFCA has received clarification that “all seasonal workers will be exempt”, as well as college students who work non-full-time.  If you have any further questions regarding this new law, please do not hesitate to reach out to KJ Johnson at kj@ifca.com.