About The Paid Leave for All Workers Act
No one should have to choose between taking a day off they need and their livelihood, yet for 1.5 million Illinois workers, that was the case—until January 1, 2024, when the Paid Leave for All Workers Act goes into effect.
What does the Paid Leave for All Workers Act (PLAWA) do?
Allows full- and part-time workers in Illinois to earn up to 5 days (40 hours) of paid time off each year. Employees earn 1 hour of sick time for every 40 hours they work, giving a full-time worker an 8-hour day off every 8 weeks. Employees may have to wait 3 months before using the time unless their employer policy specifies a shorter waiting period.
Leave can be used for ANY reason of the employee’s choosing, including: 1) the illness or medical appointment of an employee or an employee’s family member―whether they are relatives or chosen family; 2) for a school or building closure by order of a public official due to a public health emergency; 3) a need related to employee’s or family member’s domestic or sexual violence, or stalking; 4) visiting a family member or loved one in prison or jail, or for the employee’s or loved one’s appointment for any civil or criminal trial or hearing; 5) closure of the employee’s workplace by order of a public official; and 6) for reasons related to the declaration of a public health emergency.